The Detroit Lions have made a surprising move in the offseason, trading veteran running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans on Monday (March 2). The deal sends Montgomery to Houston in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round draft pick, a seventh-round pick, and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs.
This trade comes just days after Lions GM Brad Holmes expressed a desire to retain David Montgomery. “Kind of want to put last year in the rearview and just move forward,” Holmes said at the NFL Combine last week.
“But obviously, a player has to want to be at a certain place as well. So those conversations are still fluid and we’ll just kind of see how it goes.”
David Montgomery’s reduced role sparks exit
David Montgomery, who turns 29 in June, saw his production drop in 2025 as he transitioned into a clear No. 2 role behind breakout star Jahmyr Gibbs. The duo, affectionately nicknamed “Sonic and Knuckles,” had been one of the NFL’s top running back tandems in 2023–24, combining for explosive plays and reliable yardage.
However, Montgomery expressed frustration with his limited touches last season, posting career lows in rushing yards, attempts, and overall offensive involvement. The split carried tension, leading to this trade and the end of a successful partnership in Detroit.
