David Montgomery
Getty
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported the Detroit Lions agreed to RB David Montgomery to the Houston Texans for a ex-starting lineman and two Day 3 draft picks.
Just a day after reacting negatively to a report that he wanted out with the Detroit Lions, running back David Montgomery has a new team.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday morning the Lions agreed to ship Montgomery to the Houston Texans.
Minutes later, NFL Network reported the Texans sent quite the package to Detroit for the veteran running back.
“Compensation update: The Texans are sending OL Juice Scruggs, a 4th-rounder and a 7th-rounder to Detroit for David Montgomery,” wrote Pelissero on X.
Montgomery has two years remaining on his contract. He spent three seasons with the Lions, sharing the backfield with first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs during that time.
Over that stint, though, Montgomery’s playing time slowly diminished. He set a new career low in carries during each of the past two seasons.
In 2025, Montgomery ran for 716 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 4.5 yards per carry. He posted those totals despite not starting a game for the first time in his career.
Montgomery will turn 29 years old in June.
Lions Trade Compensation for RB David Montgomery
There was initially some confusion about what the Lions were receiving in return for Montgomery.
When Schefter broke the news on X, he wrote the Texans were sending a fifth-round pick to Detroit. The final trade compensation, though, appeared to be considerably more.
However, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport called the package a “fifth-round value.”
That actually confused social media users more than it helped.
“How does a 4th, 7th, and a player equate to a 5th round value?” Arrowhead Live asked.
“On what planet does a 3 for 1 trade that includes a 4th rounder = 5th round value,” wrote Tom Downey.
Schefter offered some potential clarification.
“The 7th-round pick going to the Lions in the David Montgomery deal is in 2027,” wrote Schefter.
In reaction to that update, one social media user commended Houston for the trade agreement.
“A fourth, a seventh in 2027 and Juice Scruggs for David Montgomery,” wrote SMV. “Houston spread the cost out far enough that the 2026 draft is barely touched, and Detroit has to wait two years to even use one of those picks.
“Caserio structured this deal as cleverly as he made it.”
Yet, that still doesn’t explain how what the Texans are sending to Detroit for Montgomery is “fifth-round value.” There is literally a fourth-rounder in this year’s draft going to Detroit.
The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy saw the trade as good value from the Lions perspective.
“That’s a better return than I would’ve guessed for Montgomery, honestly,” wrote Pouncy.