The Chicago Bears will enter Year 2 of the Matt Nagy era in 2019, and with it comes even higher expectations for an offense that proved last season to be explosive enough to complement one of the NFL’s most ferocious defenses.

One of the new pieces on offense is third-round pick David Montgomery, who’s expected to eventually become the team’s top running back now that Jordan Howard has moved on to the Eagles.

According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, Montgomery should be considered one of the favorites to win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019.

“Of all the running backs in the 2019 draft, Montgomery might be the safest, based on his size, toughness and creativity as a runner,” Zierlein wrote. “While Mike Davis may begin the season as the starter, Chicago finished tied for sixth in the league in rushing attempts last season (468), so there should be more than enough carries to go around.”

Montgomery is a really interesting case study. He hasn’t played a single down in the NFL and he’s replacing a player in Howard who had one of the best starts to a career for a running back in Bears history, yet he feels like a massive upgrade and ready-made star.

Assuming the scouting reports of Montgomery and his fit in Nagy’s offense are accurate, there’s no reason to believe he won’t be at or near the top of the NFL’s top rookie performers in 2019.

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