Bears running back David Montgomery isn't giving up on the final 5 games of 2021

CHICAGO - David Montgomery never takes a snap for granted.

While some fans might say there is little reason to watch the Bears over the final five weeks of the season, especially if Justin Fields misses more time with a rib injury, Montgomery sees the final five weeks through a different lens.

His comment was long, but it was the most thoughtful thing anyone said following the Bears' 33-22 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

"I've dreamed of getting to the level to where I can say I'm a professional athlete in the NFL," Montgomery said. "And I'm here. And, as you learn (when) you get to the NFL, it's all predicated off wins and losses. But in the midst of it, you tend to forget why you do what you do. You forget who you do it for. A lot of times, you've got to take a step back and understand that I was a little kid playing this game. I started playing this game when I was a little kid. And you've got to get back to the basics of just having fun with it. Regardless of how it looks. Even when it's dark, or as dark as it may seem, you've still got to understand that it's still a game."

Every single person on the Bears' roster has worked his entire life to reach the NFL. For some, they might never see an NFL field again when the season is over.

Montgomery has always backed Bears coach Matt Nagy. He said when fans rag on Nagy, the players feel it too. During a 4-8 season, everybody is going through a hard time. Montgomery just hopes his attitude wears off on his teammates.

"I know everybody in that locker room - and I'm not saying this because it's supposed to be said, I'm saying this because I mean this with everything in my heart - everybody in that locker room care about everybody," Montgomery said.

They might not save their coach's job during the final five weeks. That remains to be seen. But they have plenty to play for.