There are quite a few trade rumors swirling around the NFL, some of which involve the Green Bay Packers. But one trade that did come to pass earlier today involved one of Green Bay’s NFC North division rivals, the Detroit Lions. What is more, the trade made the Lions significantly worse offensively.
On Monday morning, it was reported that the Lions had traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans. In return, Detroit received a 2026 fourth round pick, 2027 seventh round pick, and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs.
There had been rumors that Montgomery was on the trading block, but the player himself said on social media a few days ago that he was not going anywhere. That, obviously, ended up being incorrect. For the first time in his NFL career, Montgomery will not be playing in the NFC North.
Green Bay Packers fans roast the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans for the David Montgomery trade
Nov 3, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) runs the ball as center Frank Ragnow (77) blocks Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (56) at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Tork Mason-Imagn Images
Detroit moving on from Montgomery makes some sense from a financial perspective. That being said, he scored 33 touchdowns for them over the last three seasons following his departure from the Chicago Bears. Additionally, he played all 17 games for them last year and had 716 rushing yards while averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
As for Scruggs, the offensive lineman they received in return, he is a former second round pick that could not even crack one of the worst offensive line units in the NFL.
Packers fans, as one might expect, had a field day on social media:
https://t.co/wDYjmrlDfA pic.twitter.com/I2Gj7rj2Ye
— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) March 2, 2026
Oh what in the world?!
That’s a really nice pick up for the Texans to ease the pressure off CJ Stroud. David Montgomery could probably put up 1K now that he’s presumably RB1 again. https://t.co/vk3yO9pxpB
— Eddie Resurreccion (@EdmarResurrecc1) March 2, 2026
Absolutely love this for Houston
Not a great RB class and would prefer giving up a 5th for a player like David Montgomery than drafting an RB in the 5th and hoping he works out nearly every time https://t.co/JOvK8IA8ns
— Football Analysis (@FBallAnalysisYT) March 2, 2026
Without Montgomery, the Lions still have Jahmyr Gibbs as their starting running back, but part of what made their offense work was having Montgomery behind him. Scruggs is not a very good offensive guard, and likely will not even make Detroit’s starting lineup.
The draft compensation is nice, though, and the Texans may have overpaid.
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