In a shocking move, the Detroit Lions have traded away their star running back, David Montgomery, to the Houston Texans, just hours after he seemed to dismiss rumors of a potential trade. But was it really a surprise? The Lions are reshaping their roster, and this trade is a significant step in that direction.
Multiple sources confirm the trade: the Lions will receive a fourth and seventh-round draft pick, along with offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, in exchange for Montgomery. This comes after whispers at the NFL combine suggested Montgomery wanted out of Detroit, despite his apparent denial on social media, where he wrote, "Damn, Dmo told you that?" on X.
Montgomery's time in Detroit was productive, especially his first year in 2023 when he rushed for over 1,000 yards. However, his carries decreased each season with the Lions. And here's where it gets interesting: the Lions are preparing to offer a substantial contract extension to Jahmyr Gibbs, another talented running back, signaling a shift in their backfield strategy.
Montgomery's performance in 2025 was impressive, averaging a career-high 4.5 yards per carry, but his overall attempts were limited to 716. Now, he moves to a Texans team where his role is more certain. He'll likely compete with Woody Marks, a promising rookie, for the starting running back position.
Houston's running back room already includes former Bengals standout Joe Mixon, but his future is uncertain due to an undisclosed injury that kept him off the field last season. This trade for Montgomery adds further intrigue to the Texans' backfield dynamics, especially with CJ Stroud's recent struggles and the team's apparent desire to rebuild around him.
Stroud's performance last season raised concerns, leading to trade rumors and even the firing of the Texans' quarterbacks coach. With a 12-5 record and a playoff appearance, the Texans are aiming to improve, but will this trade help or hinder their progress? That's the question on everyone's mind.
Do you think the Lions made the right move in trading Montgomery? And what does this mean for the future of CJ Stroud and the Texans' offense?
