The Detroit Lions are likely to move on from one of their running backs in 2026 and the New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks and Houston Texans may all have interest.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Lions running back David Montgomery "wants out" of Detroit and the Lions are looking for a Day 3 pick in return.
"And at running back, the Lions' David Montgomery wants out, has a reasonable contract (owed $6 million in 2026) and is 28," Fowler reported.
"That has value. Word out of Indy is that Detroit would want a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder) in return," Fowler added.
Montgomery wants out after seeing a decreased role behind Jahmyr Gibbs in 2025. Lions general manager Brad Holmes have even admitted Montgomery may not return to the team in 2026.
"Those are discussions that we're going to have a lot more in depth, in terms of, like, what is the best plan for him going forward? Is it somewhere else, or whatever the case be?" Holmes said.
When it comes to potential suitors, Fowler notes that the Seahawks could be one of them if Kenneth Walker, who is a pending free agent, doesn't return.
"Seattle makes sense here if it can't re-sign Kenneth Walker III," Fowler wrote.
ESPN's Dan Graziano adds in the same report that Walker's market is robust enough that his days with the Seahawks might be numbered.
"Kenneth Walker III, who sounds like he's generating enough outside interest to spell the end of his time in Seattle," Graziano reported.
The Giants, Chiefs and Texans were mentioned by Graziano as teams expected to be in the free-agent market for a running back, so it's logical to assume they'll be exploring the trade market, also.
The Chiefs have two pending free agents at running back in Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt and should be looking for an upgrade over those two after their lackluster showings last season.
The Texans are almost certainly going to cut Joe Mixon after he missed all of last season and Houston needs a veteran next to Woody Marks and Jawhar Jordan.
As for the Giants, a recent report from ESPN's Jordan Raanan revealed New York's desire to be more physical on the ground and the team is interested in some of the top running backs in free agency and the draft, including Walker, Travis Etienne and Jeremiyah Love.
It's conceivable that if the Giants don't get the big fish they appear to be looking for, they could turn to a cheap trade for Montgomery, who is the kind of physical runner Big Blue wants.
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