David Montgomery could have ended up on a different NFC North team

It seems David Montgomery was destined to stay in the NFC North for the foreseeable future, but how close was the former Bears running back to joining another one of Chicago’s division rivals?

According to a report from Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Montgomery had several suitors once he hit free agency, including the Minnesota Vikings. However, it was the amount of guaranteed money the Lions offered that ultimately convinced the 25-year-old tailback to bolt to Detroit.

“Three-fourths of the NFC North was interested in signing him,” Biggs said. “The Bears, the Detroit Lions (where he landed) and Minnesota Vikings were all in the mix. Montgomery scored an $18 million, three-year contract from the Lions, and what’s notable is the deal includes $8.75 million fully guaranteed and another $2.25 million is fully guaranteed if he’s on the roster on the third day of the 2024 league year. The Bears’ offer to Montgomery, according to a source, did not include any guaranteed money beyond Year 1 of the deal.”

After missing out on Montgomery, the Vikings signed Alexander Mattison to a two-year, $8 million contract. Conversely, the Bears signed D’Onta Foreman to a one-year, $2 million deal and Travis Homer to a two-year, $4 million deal.

Montgomery rushed for 801 yards and five touchdowns this season and totaled 3,609 yards and 26 touchdowns over four seasons in Chicago, including a 1,000-yard season in 2020.

He replaces 28-year-old Jamaal Williams, who signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the New Orleans Saints. Biggs reported that Williams turned down the same contract that Montgomery signed, costing himself $6 million total and $600,000 guaranteed.