Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
When will compensatory draft picks be awarded, and how many are the Bears expected to receive?
Terry D.
Iowa
The NFL typically awards compensatory draft picks sometime in early-to-mid March. The league awards 32 comp picks in Rounds 3-7 to teams that have suffered a net loss of unrestricted free agents the previous year. The NFL does not release the formula, but it involves a player's average salary, playing time and postseason awards. I've seen a couple media outlets predict that the Bears will receive two comp picks after losing linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (Raiders), defensive lineman Nick Williams (Lions) and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Cowboys) and signing outside linebacker Robert Quinn (Cowboys).
I thought that running back David Montgomery became a much better receiver out of the backfield in his second season with the Bears in 2020. Do the stats he accumulated back that up?
Murray T.
Lincolnshire, Illinois
Yes, Murray, they do. David Montgomery ranked fifth among NFL running backs this past season with 54 receptions and fourth with 438 yards receiving. He more than doubled his output from his rookie year in 2019 when he caught 25 passes for 185 yards. In 2020, Montgomery was the only NFL player to gain more than 1,000 yards rushing and 400 yards receiving, which speaks to how multi-dimensional he was in his second season. The only other players to accomplish that feat in Bears history are Gale Sayers, Walter Payton, Neal Anderson and Matt Forte, which puts Montgomery in pretty select company.
Since joining the Bears in 2018, where does Khalil Mack rank in sacks?
Phil R.
Romeoville, Illinois
Khalil Mack has recorded 30 sacks in three seasons with the Bears, the 10th most in the NFL during that span. The players ahead of him are Aaron Donald (46.5), T.J. Watt (42.5), Myles Garrett (35.5), Cameron Jordan (35), Za'Darius Smith (34.5), Chandler Jones (33), Chris Jones (32), Shaquil Barrett (30.5) and Jason Pierre-Paul (30.5). Mack's 14 forced fumbles over the past three seasons are the second most in the league behind Watt's 16.
Chalk Talk features fan questions multiple times each week. Email your question to Larry.
