David Montgomery
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Lions GM Brad Holmes spoke about the David Montgomery trade.
Among the moves made by Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes so far this offseason was the trade of running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, a 2026 fourth-round pick, and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
Over the three seasons that Montgomery played with the Lions after coming over from the division rival Chicago Bears, he amassed 2,506 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns. But this past season, he saw his workload drop while Jahmyr Gibbs’ workload increased.
Montgomery registered career lows of 158 carries and 716 rushing yards in 2025, as the Lions missed the postseason despite a winning 9-8 record. And per reports, Houston was a preferred destination of his.
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Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes Explains Why David Montgomery Was Traded To Houston
While speaking with the Lions Collective podcast, Lions general manager Brad Holmes explained that the reduced touches for Montgomery meant that he was going to be a trade candidate.
“It was evident that there were less touches that he had,” Holmes explained this week on the Lions Collective podcast. “And look, a lot of it was not just him. It’s how Jahmyr had ascended. Me and David’s agent — and David — we all had really healthy dialogue, and we just thought it was best for all parties. It was right after the end of the season that (we decided), let’s just see if we can get the proper return.”
Holmes also made it clear that there is no ill will between the two sides after moving on from one another.
“That’s going to be not only a loss of just the player, but he was such an impact on our locker room from a leadership standpoint, our culture,” said Holmes. “But it was all healthy dialogue. There was never any bad blood or anything. And I think it worked out well for both parties.”
David Montgomery Made It Clear He Believes In His Abilities
Despite his reduced workload with the Lions in 2025, Montgomery still clearly believes in his abilities.
“As much as them saying I’m a power back — I hear that a lot — but I can do a lot of stuff that power backs don’t do,” Montgomery said not long after the trade to the Texans, via the Houston Chronicle. “I’m not going to talk too much about it. I’m more of a show than a tell kind of guy.
“I’m not going to say what I can or will do, I’m just going to show it.”
Montgomery should enter the upcoming season high on Houston’s running back depth chart, and he’s eager to show them why they made the right choice in acquiring him from Detroit.
“I’m going into my eighth year now, and yeah, you like to put the veteran thing on it, but I honestly feel like I’m in my prime,” Montgomery said. “I take care of my body really well.
“So am I able to handle the workload? Yeah, because I put a lot of stress, and I work a lot harder in the offseason to ensure myself a chance to be able to do something like that.”