The Green Bay Packers opted to let Eddie Lacy walk in free agency, opening up a void at running back for 2017. Its been a troublesome position for Green Bay the past two years, largely due to Lacys weight issues and injury concerns.
Now, with Lacy gone, its up to Ty Montgomery to handle the load. Hes continuing his transition from wide receiver to running back this season, which isnt a switch many players have made in the past. Given the wear and tear running backs endure, its a surprising one, but its also one thatll likely lead to increased playing time and touches.
Montgomery explained why hes happier carrying the ball out of the backfield than he is playing wide receiver, and his reasoning is fairly simple.
Do I want to play in the NFL for a longer period of time and not be as happy because Im not having the amount of success that Id like to have? Montgomery said, via ESPN. And if running back gives me that, then Id rather play 6-8 years in the league and having a successful career and having a lot of fun doing it and not always battling to be somebodys fourth, fifth or sixth receiver, even if it meant a 10-12 year career.
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Montgomerys playing time did increase in 2016 despite only being a part-time player for much of the season. He played 391 snaps compared to just 242 in 2015. Granted, he was injured for much of the season two years ago, but his touches per game dramatically increased regardless.
Essentially, it came down to Montgomery choosing to be a more productive and involved player for a potentially shorter period of time, rather than being the Packers fourth or fifth receiver for longer.
So, would I rather be trying to be someones No. 1 running back than being somebodys fourth, fifth or sixth receiver? he continued. Would I rather be trying to make someones team as a fourth, fifth, sixth receiver and potentially not making as much money as I could if I played 6-8 years in the league and have the potential to make the amount of money I could at the running back position? It all came down to quality over quantity, and I want the quality of years to be what I want.
Running backs dont last nearly as long as receivers in the NFL, and they certainly dont get paid as much. Montgomery is still under contract for the next two years, so he has time to prove he can be a full-time running back until then. If he can do that, his value will be much higher than it would have been if he stayed at running back and played limited snaps.
For now, the Packers just hope he can handle the workload of a No. 1 back after entering the offseason with just 80 career carries.
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