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Montgomery excited by fresh start with Lions: 'I was used to' losing in Chicago

Quinn Harris / Getty Images Sport / Getty

New Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery said he's excited by his decision to change teams this offseason, taking a shot at his former club - the Chicago Bears - for their recent lack of success.

"That's all I was used to," Montgomery said about the Bears' recent struggles, according to Nick Shook of NFL.com. "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."

Montgomery joined Detroit on a three-year, $18-million contract this offseason after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Bears, who drafted him in the third round in 2019. The 25-year-old averaged 902 yards (3.9 per carry) and six touchdowns on the ground per year in Chicago to go along with 38 catches for 310 yards and one score.

The Bears haven't posted a winning record in four straight campaigns, going 25-41 in that span, including 3-14 in 2022. Meanwhile, the Lions are 20-44-2 since 2019, though they had a 9-8 record last season for their first winning campaign since 2017. Montgomery praised Dan Campbell ahead of the head coach's third season with Detroit.

"My first impression of meeting and talking to him, he's passionate about the game," Montgomery said of Campbell. "He's a players' coach. You can tell. That was one of the things that brought me here and excited me, too ... He makes you want to run through a wall for him."

The Lions swept their season series against the Bears last year. The NFC North rivals will face off in Weeks 11 and 14 this season.

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