David Montgomery, Houston Texans
Getty
David Montgomery #5 of the Detroit Lions jogs across the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills.
The Houston Texans have taken an aggressive approach to filling needs this offseason, agreeing to terms with several players on their offensive and defensive lines. They also addressed their need for a physical presence at running back with David Montgomery.
However, the Texans’ plans for Montgomery did not stop there.
The veteran, who met with the media on Friday, got good news from the club on Saturday, continuing his whirlwind week.
Texans Make Key Adjustment With David Montgomery
David Montgomery, Houston Texans
GettyDavid Montgomery #5 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Texans acquired Montgomery in a trade with the Detroit Lions before free agency officially started. They added him, among other reasons, in light of their plans to cut ties with Joe Mixon.
However, Montgomery was in the final year of his contract. That is, until the Texans delivered on the post-trade expectations that they would revisit the former Chicago Bears third-round pick’s situation.
KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on Montgomery’s revised contract on Saturday.
“Montgomery is due $16.5 million over the next two seasons on a deal that includes a $6.5 million signing bonus, per an NFL source. The revised deal, filed to the league, has a $1.5 million base salary this year that is fully guaranteed and up to $500,000 in per game active roster bonuses. His first-year payout is up to $8.5 million,” Wilson wrote on March 14.
“Next year, he is due a $7.5 million salary with $2 million of it guaranteed and a total of $500,000 in per game active roster bonuses.”
The decision created $1.5 million in additional room for Houston, per Over The Cap’s Troy Chapman. Montgomery is now signed through 2027. That gives him some measure of security and the Texans a clearer long-term plan for their backfield.
The Texans ranked 22nd in rushing during the 2025 regular season with 1,852 yards.
Montgomery had 716 yards and 8 touchdowns on 158 carries. More directly than Mixon, who missed all of last season with a mysterious foot/ankle injury, Montgomery replaces Nick Chubb.
The Texans signed the four-time Pro Bowler, Chubb, as insurance for Mixon last season. Chubb finished his lone campaign in Houston with 506 yards on 122 carries. He opened the season as the Texans’ starter, but eventually ceded those duties, leading to another overhaul this offseason.
Texans Getting Backfield Boost
Lions RB David Montgomery
GettyDavid Montgomery #5 of the Detroit Lions runs the ball against the Chicago Bears.
Chubb ended last season backing up rookie fourth-round pick Woody Marks. The youngster finished the campaign leading the team with 196 carries for 703 yards.
Marks is expected to assume the Jahmyr Gibbs role to give the Texans a version of what the Lions had with Montgomery. However, the expectation is once again that the more veteran runner will at least begin the season as the Texans’ lead back.
Regardless of his role, Montgomery should help elevate the Texans’ backfield production.
“This is a good time to repeat these stats that show how bad the Texans’ running game was in the red zone,” former Houston Chronicle reporter John McClain posted on X on March 13. “They had 9 rushing TDs, Montgomery had 8 as a backup. Over the last 3 years, he had 33 and they had 34. Case closed!”
Texans general manager Nick Caserio is certainly gambling, banking on another aging veteran to elevate the group. That is where Montgomery’s recent history as a co-star helps him in two ways.
He has less tread than other backs his age, and is used to operating alongside another runner. That could help when the Texans ride the hot hand. Montgomery, a former Iowa State product, also joins a slew of fellow alums. He is older than his fellow ex-Cyclones, though.