Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery
Getty
Jahmyr Gibbs got honest about David Montgomery's future with the Lions.
The Kansas City Chiefs have a slew of significant roster decisions to make during the offseason.
Some of the weakest position groups on the team include defensive line, wide receiver, and running back. How to fix the latter has been a subject of debate among Chiefs fans since the regular season ended.
Some feel that Kansas City should use the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on a running back, and others believe that acquiring a veteran in free agency is the way to go. Regardless of what route the Chiefs take, improving the running back position will be a big priority over the next several months.
The folks over at Bleacher Report recently proposed one trade scenario for each team. What they came up with for Kansas City would certainly improve its running back situation, but there would still be work to do.
Kansas City Chiefs Urged to Trade for Detroit Lions RB David Montgomery
Here are the terms of the suggested trade, with analysis from Alex Ballentine:
Chiefs Receive: RB David Montgomery
Lions Receive: 2026 fifth-round pick (No. 176)
“The Chiefs’ run game is going to be important in 2026. With Patrick Mahomes potentially sidelined for the early part of the season, they’ll need to be able to support whoever is throwing the ball for them. Both Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco are set to become free agents so the Chiefs backfield is murky at the moment. A Day 3 pick for David Montgomery would actually stabilize the backfield and provide a reasonable floor.
“Montgomery took a clear back seat to Jahmyr Gibbs this season and only had 158 carries. He was still effective at 4.5 yards per carry. His physical running style would make him an ideal Hunt replacement and he would only cost the cash-strapped Chiefs $3.5 million if they trade for him. Kansas City needs a veteran back on the roster and Montgomery needs the opportunity for a bigger role.”
Acquiring David Montgomery for a 5th-Round Pick Could Be Sneaky-Good Deal for Chiefs
David Montgomery
GettyLions RB David Montgomery
Montgomery is one of the more underrated running backs in the league. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards twice during his seven-year career, and scored at least eight touchdowns in four seasons. He and Gibbs have made up the most dynamic rushing duo in the NFL over the past three years.
On the surface, surrendering a draft pick when you only have six doesn’t seem like a great approach, especially with the amount of roster holes the Chiefs have. However, they are projected to receive and extra fifth-round compensatory pick after losing defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton last offseason.
Spending one of two fifth-rounders on a proven veteran like Montgomery wouldn’t be a bad deal. Montgomery is a well-rounded back that can pick up tough yards between the tackles. Kansas City could re-sign Hunt for that role, but Montgomery is younger and fresher. If the Chiefs take a running back early in the draft to pair with Montgomery, they could replicate what the Lions were able to do with Montgomery and Gibbs.