Entering this season, the Jets loved that they not only added RB Le'Veon Bell to their backfield, but also Ty Montgomery who came in as a free agent as well.
Much like Bell, Montgomery can do it all from his position. He considers himself a "football player hybrid" for his ability to do whatever his coaches need. From catching out of the backfield, to running back kicks and punts, to picking up yards on the ground rushing, Montgomery is a Swiss Army knife for head coach Adam Gase.
Even his No. 88 as a running back makes Montgomery one of the NFL's enigmas.
"I see myself as a true hybrid and I believe this 88 at running back has sort of become my brand," he told newyorkjets.com's Jim Gehman. "Who is this 88 playing running back? Isn't he a receiver? I just feel like it's become part of my story."
Despite his wide range of skills on the gridiron, the Jets have used Montgomery sparingly this season. He has had seven rushes for only 30 yards, and four targets with three receptions for 15 yards.
But Montgomery isn't really sweating the fact that he is playing second fiddle to one of the best backs in the game in Bell. Gase hasn't been shy with using Bell in his offense, knowing that his success in the run game will only open everything else up.
Montgomery believes that Bell compliments him as much as he does the former Steeler.
"Le'Veon is probably the best at what he can do," Montgomery said about his new teammate. "And for me to be a part of this offense, an offense that can be built around a running back that can do that, it suits me very well because I see myself being able to do the same things that he can do."
This Jets offense, though, has been wavering all season and it's been even worse since Sam Darnold has been sidelined with mononucleosis. After being dominated by the Patriots on the road in Week 3, the Jets are averaging a minuscule 196.7 yards per game -- dead last in the NFL. And Bell has been averaging just 2.9 yards per carry (56 for 163 yards), which is well below previous seasons.
With Bell not being able to get anything going with this offense thus far, Montgomery hasn't been getting the chances he may have envisioned when he signed with the Jets. If Gase can figure out what's been plaguing his offense (fixing the offensive line woes would be a good start) -- and Darnold can return under center -- Montgomery could find some better opportunities to show that versatile skillset.