David Montgomery, Lions
Getty
Running back David Montgomery of the Detroit Lions.
If the NFL offseason is judged by wins and losses, just as the regular season is, than the Detroit Lions started 2026 at 1-o.
That was the definitive declaration from Warren Sharp, who posted to social media that the Lions crushed the Houston Texans in a trade that sent running back David Montgomery from Detroit to the AFC South Division on Monday, March 1.
In return, the Lions received a fourth-round pick, a seventh-round pick and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs.
this is wild to give up for a RB like Montgomery
David Montgomery will be 29 years old in June and has 1,477 career carries
now will play behind the Texans OL who ranked
#32 in run block win rate 2025#31 in run block win rate 2024
great return for the Lions https://t.co/8rk7ABGLZl
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 2, 2026
“This is wild to give up for Montgomery,” Sharp wrote. “David Montgomery will be 29 years old in June and has 1,477 career carries. Now will play behind the Texans [offensive line] who ranked #32 in run block win rate in 2025, #31 in run block win rate in 2024. Great return for the Lions.”
Lions About to Pay Running Back Jahmyr Gibbs on Massive Contract
Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
GettyRunning back Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions.
Montgomery has two years remaining on an $18.25 million extension, which was about to become an overpay for Detroit given the looming deal for Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
Gibbs, the No. 12 overall pick in 2023, is extension-eligible this month and has a chance to reset the market at the position with his next deal.
“Saquon Barkley’s post-Super Bowl extension with the [Philadelphia] Eagles brings his average annual salary to $20.6 million per year, which provides a target for top-end running backs,” Dan Graziano of ESPN wrote on January 30. “Gibbs likely tries to beat Barkley’s number, while the Lions will likely try to keep the number under $20 million. Whether this gets done this offseason could come down to which side digs in harder.”
As a former first-round pick, Detroit holds a fifth-year team option on Gibbs’ rookie contract. The franchise must decide whether to exercise that option by May 1, which will pay the running back $14.3 million for the 2027 campaign. The Lions are highly likely to pick that up and may decide to hold off one more year before adding Gibbs’ longterm money to its future books.
Detroit is also looking at extensions for safety Brian Branch, linebacker Jack Campbell and tight end Sam LaPorta, all of whom the team drafted in 2023.
David Montgomery Nearing Age 30, Typical Tipping Point for NFL Running Backs
David Montgomery, Houston Texans
GettyRunning back David Montgomery of the Detroit Lions.
Montgomery’s usage in Detroit has declined the past two seasons, as Gibbs has assumed primary duties in the run game and become one of the best backs in the NFL.
The Lions called Montgomery’s name on 219 rushes across 14 games in 2023. That number dropped to 185 hauls in 14 contests in 2024 and fell again to 158 totes across 17 appearances last season. His rushing touchdowns are also on a downward trajectory, from 13 to 12 to eight over the past three campaigns, respectively.
Montgomery is, without question, an upgrade to the Texans’ offensive backfield and should enter the locker room as the presumptive No. 1 option in the run game when training camp begins. That said, the age of 30 has traditionally been a tipping point for most professional running backs, at which point production dips tend to happen quickly and severely.
Given that context, two draft picks and an offensive lineman is an excellent haul for the Lions in exchange for Montgomery, who is playing on a contract Detroit wouldn’t be able to justify after paying Gibbs, which will happen sooner than later.