David Montgomery never wanted to leave Chicago, but changes in leadership at the top cut his time with the Bears short.

The team wasn’t willing to offer him a lucrative contract, leading one of their most dependable players to hit free agency.

The Detroit Lions stepped in with a compelling offer, which he accepted.

The move paid off as Montgomery enjoyed the best season of his career, surpassing 1,000 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns.

Much of this success was credited to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who skillfully utilized Montgomery’s strengths.

This past season was no exception. Even after missing three games, Montgomery accumulated 1,116 yards from scrimmage and scored 12 touchdowns.

He likely expected Johnson to leave for a head coaching job after the Lions’ season but was caught off guard when his former team, the Bears, became the ones to hire him.

Montgomery’s reaction on Instagram captured his feelings perfectly.

Montgomery likely feels a sense of betrayal.

The Bears had refused to make a serious contract offer, which fueled his motivation to perform against them.

Now, someone he grew to trust and respect—Johnson—is joining the very team he felt wronged by. It’s not an easy pill to swallow.

This development leaves Montgomery facing uncertainty.

He will now work under a new offensive coordinator who may not match Johnson’s expertise.

To make matters worse, this news comes at a time when the Lions are on the verge of making their first Super Bowl appearance, heightening the sting of the situation.

From the Bears’ perspective, their decision wasn’t personal. They sought an innovative offensive mind like Johnson to help develop their young quarterback.

While it wasn’t intended to spite Montgomery, it’s understandable why he might feel otherwise.