After playing against the Detroit Lions for four years with the Chicago Bears, running back David Montgomery wanted to sign with the Lions because of what he saw in them last year.
The Lions' high-powered offense, and the energy they showed in compiling an 8-2 record in the last 10 games – with two of those wins over the Bears – influenced Montgomery when he decided to sign a contract with the Lions.
"To come here and play with a team that's started something crazy ... I'm blessed," Montgomery said. "I'm very, very excited to be in an offense that is so powerful and dynamic.
"I'm excited to be a part of it."
View photos of new Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery.
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Chicago. The Bears won 19-10. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) celebrates after scoring on a 9-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) runs against Miami Dolphins safety Eric Rowe and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) runs against the Dallas Cowboy during an NFL Football game in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) is tackled by Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) in the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) prepares to make the catch against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Chicago Bears' David Montgomery runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears' David Montgomery scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) carries the ball against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) makes a catch as Atlanta Falcons linebacker Lorenzo Carter (9) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) makes a catch from quarterback Justin Fields (1) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery, left, runs past Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Chicago. The Vikings won 29-13. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery rushes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) passes the ball to running back David Montgomery (32) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) carries the ball against the New York Jets during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Chicago Bears' David Montgomery warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 27-24. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Montgomery has been a productive, durable player. He missed only six games in four seasons with the Bears, playing 60 of 66 games with 51 starts.
His combination of receiving and rushing skills allowed him to gain more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage in all four of his seasons with the Bears.
Those traits are something offensive coordinator Ben Johnson can use to expand a diverse offense that is already one of the league's best.
In 2020 Montgomery set personal bests rushing with 1,070 yards and eight TDs, and in receiving with 54 receptions for 434 yards and two TDs.
For his four seasons in Chicago he has 3,609 yards rushing and 1,240 receiving. That's an average of 1,212.3 yards from scrimmage per season.
Montgomery looks forward to playing behind the Lions' offensive line.
Go behind the scenes with the Detroit Lions during 2023 free agency.
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs (96) signing his contract with Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 13, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs (96) signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 13, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs (96) during his press conference at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 13, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman John Cominsky (79) signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 15, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman John Cominsky (79) signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 15, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman John Cominsky (79) during his press conference at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 15, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 15, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 15, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during his press conference at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 15, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris (25) signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 15, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton with Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 15, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 15, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 15, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 15, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton with Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 15, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton with Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 15, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton being interviewed at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton during his press conference at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton during his press conference at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery with Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery with Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery during his press conference at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Emmanuel Moseley signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Emmanuel Moseley with Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Emmanuel Moseley during his press conference at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Emmanuel Moseley at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Emmanuel Moseley at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 16, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Michael Badgley (17) signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Michael Badgley (17) signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Michael Badgley (17) during his press conference at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety C.J. Moore (38) signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow during his press conference at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson meeting with Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson meeting with Detroit Lions Cornerbacks Coach Dre Bly at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson signing his contract at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson during his press conference at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on March 20, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. signing his contract at the Detroit Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 5, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. signing his contract at the Detroit Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 5, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. at the Detroit Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 5, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. and Detroit Lions Wide Receivers Coach Antwaan Randle El at the Detroit Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 5, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. and Detroit Lions Linebackers Coach Kelvin Sheppard at the Detroit Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 5, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. at the Detroit Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 5, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. and Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson at the Detroit Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 5, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. during his press conference at the Detroit Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 5, 2023. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
"They've got those three Pro Bowlers on the line," he said, referring to center Frank Ragnow, guard Jonah Jackson and tackle Penei Sewell.
"They have high expectations for themselves. I have high expectations for myself."
