Former Bears running back Tarik Cohen didn’t mince words on Instagram, taking a shot at Bears General Manager Ryan Poles. After Ex-Bears running back David Montgomery recently signed a contract extension with the Detroit Lions, Cohen shared a cryptic message saying, “Any GM who would let bro walk is stupid AF.” It seems Cohen’s time in Chicago may have ended on a sour note.
Tarik Cohen takes a shot at Ryan Poles pic.twitter.com/eUUzGEi3i9
— Harrison Graham (@HGrahamNFL) October 13, 2024
Former Bears RB Tarik Cohen Bashes Ryan Poles Over Past Decision
Do the Bears Regret Not Re-Signing David Montgomery?
The Bears drafted David Montgomery in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the 73rd overall pick. Montgomery went on to become the Bears’ featured back, rushing for over 800 yards in each of his four seasons. However, Montgomery’s journey with the Bears took a disappointing turn he chose to sign with the Lions instead of the Bears. The Bears did offer Montgomery a contract, but the Lions’ offer had more incentives and money so he chose Detroit instead. In a conversation on the Lions’ gaming and interview series, Montgomery expressed that constantly losing with the Bears “sucked the fun” out of football for him.
“That’s all I was used to. And it got to a point where it sucked the fun out of the game for me because I’m a competitor. I like to compete. That’s what football’s about. It’s so refreshing to be in a place where that’s appreciated.”
It’s unfortunate, but Montgomery joined the team when the Bears were beginning a rebuild. While he was a bright spot on a team lacking talent, the emergence of versatile back Khalil Herbert led General Manager Ryan Poles to decide against re-signing Montgomery.
David Montgomery Finding New Life With the Lions
Fortunately for David Montgomery, he found new life in Detroit. Last season, he scored a career-high 13 touchdowns and surpassed 1,000 rushing yards, playing a key role in helping the Lions reach their first NFC Championship in over 30 years. The Lions rewarded him with a two-year, $18.25 million extension, which includes $10.5 million in guaranteed money.
Detroit’s coaching staff commended Montgomery’s impact, saying, “A lot of the things that we do in the room, and even other people’s rooms, they do it because he does it. He is the kind of guy that sets the tone for the day of practice, and the way that he finishes. You guys have seen out there, some of these runs that most people would stop running after 25 yards. He’s going 50, 60, 70 yards.”
There’s no question Montgomery has made a significant impact on the Lions’ franchise. But does this mean Ryan Poles made a mistake in letting him go?
Did Ryan Poles Make the Right Choice?
The Bears struggled to run the ball earlier this season but have recently picked it up. With newly-signed RB D’Andre Swift and second-year RB Roschon Johnson taking the bulk of the carries, the Bears aren’t in a need for another running back. Of course, keeping David Montgomery would be nice, but letting him sign with the Lions wasn’t the end of the world. The Bears decided to go a different route, and it worked out for Montgomery. Tarik Cohen’s comment calling Ryan Poles “stupid AF” reveals more about Cohen’s character than it does about Poles’ abilities as a GM. Although Poles has made some mistakes as the Bears GM, letting Montgomery leave in free agency wasn’t one of them.
Main Image: Jamie Sabau – USA Today Sports
