Lions Trade David Montgomery to Texans for Picks and a Center

The Detroit Lions have sent veteran running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans. In return, they received a fourth‑round draft pick for this year, a seventh‑round pick in 2027, and center Juice Scruggs. Montgomery is 28 years old and has spent the last three seasons sharing the backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs. Montgomery’s role shrank in 2025 as Gibbs emerged as the primary ball carrier. He had only 158 rushing attempts last year, down from 219 in 2023 and 185 in 2024. Lions general manager Brad Holmes said the team appreciated Montgomery’s talent but recognized that a player must want to stay. The trade allows Detroit to pair Gibbs with a younger, cheaper running back and free up salary‑cap space for the $8. 4 million hit in 2026 and $10. 2 million in 2027.In Houston, Montgomery will join Woody Marks, a 25‑year‑old rookie who rushed for 911 yards and scored five touchdowns last season. Marks has three years left on his contract. Montgomery, originally drafted in the third round by the Chicago Bears in 2019, has rushed for over 1, 000 yards twice and scored 33 touchdowns with the Lions in recent years. The Texans finished 18th in total offense last year, while the Lions ranked fifth. Montgomery was a fan favorite. His 2023 season—1, 015 yards and 13 touchdowns—was his best. Together with Gibbs, they formed a powerful backfield often called “Sonic and Knuckles. ” But after the retirement of offensive lineman Frank Ragnow, Detroit’s interior run game weakened. The team often favored Gibbs because of his receiving skills and play‑making ability, which reduced Montgomery’s touches. He averaged only 9. 3 rushes per game in 2025, the lowest of his career. The Lions’ decision to trade Montgomery saves cap space and adds draft capital plus a center. For a player whose future in Detroit was uncertain, the trade seems fair. The move also signals a shift toward a younger core as the team looks ahead.