As the NFL free agency period approaches on Wednesday, March 11, the Green Bay Packers aim to strengthen their position atop the NFC North for the 2026 season. Meanwhile, they are closely monitoring moves by rival teams in the division, especially the Detroit Lions, who face several potential changes amid financial constraints and roster shifts.
The Lions appear likely to undergo significant roster adjustments, hampered by one of the league’s tightest salary caps, listed by OverTheCap at negative $12.1 million. This cap challenge increases the chances of the Lions weakening their lineup, which would benefit the Packers, who swept Detroit during the 2025 regular season.
A key player potentially on the move is veteran running back David Montgomery. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently reported that Montgomery is seeking a trade away from Detroit and that the Lions are expected to seek a Day 3 draft pick in exchange. However, Montgomery publicly denied these claims on X, tweeting, “Damn, Dmo told you that?” Yet, such public denials have occurred before, and they do not always reflect private intentions.
Regardless of Montgomery’s statements, the uncertainty surrounding his future in Detroit is advantageous to Green Bay as tension builds around their divisional competitor.
What Montgomery’s Possible Departure Means for Green Bay
Despite Montgomery’s public denial, insider reports and chatter from Detroit suggest the veteran running back is dissatisfied with his role during the 2025 season. Montgomery’s performance fell short of previous years, as he rushed for a career-low 716 yards on 158 carries over 17 games without starting any. He added eight rushing touchdowns and contributed 24 catches for 192 yards.
The Packers’ defense successfully limited Montgomery’s productivity in both meetings last season:
- Week 1: 11 carries for 25 yards, 4 receptions on 4 targets for 18 yards
- Week 13: 8 carries for 32 yards and 1 touchdown, 2 receptions on 2 targets for 16 yards
Detroit had hoped to revitalize their rushing game by hiring Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator. Petzing’s tenure with the Arizona Cardinals featured back-to-back top-10 rushing attacks in 2023 and 2024, inspiring optimism. However, unresolved issues tied to Montgomery may complicate Petzing’s debut season in Detroit, turning promising expectations into challenges that the Packers could exploit.
The Packers now have Jonathan Gannon, formerly Petzing’s colleague on the Cardinals staff, directing their defense. Gannon’s insight into Petzing’s schemes could prove instrumental in neutralizing Detroit’s offense once again.
Without a healthy running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and Montgomery, the Lions’ offense risks losing a critical dynamic. The Packers’ defense struggled at times in 2025, allowing 117.7 rushing yards per game, but facing a less potent backfield could reduce these vulnerabilities.
Detroit’s RB Options Without Montgomery and the Packers’ Outlook
Should the Lions finalize a trade or release Montgomery, their depth at running back would be left precarious. After Montgomery, Detroit’s primary RB options include Jacob Saylors and Sione Vaki, both primarily special teams contributors rather than featured rushers. The Lions could pursue free agents like Michael Carter, Nick Chubb, or Brian Robinson or await possible releases such as James Conner, yet none present an equivalent substitute for Montgomery’s role.
Montgomery has complemented Jahmyr Gibbs as the “thunder” to Gibbs’ “lightning,” forming one of the NFL’s best backfield tandems. Replacing Montgomery would be a challenging task and not a simple like-for-like swap. The Packers are poised to observe Detroit’s adjustments with cautious optimism, viewing disruption around Montgomery as a chance to strengthen their divisional standing.
“Damn, Dmo told you that?” – David Montgomery
“Imagine not having to worry about Jahmyr Gibbs and Montgomery, who have become one of the best RB duos in the league.” – Jeremy Fowler, ESPN Analyst
As free agency unfolds, the Packers could capitalize on ongoing discord within the Lions’ roster, potentially solidifying their NFC North supremacy heading into 2026. The unfolding situation around David Montgomery remains a critical storyline that may reshape the balance of power in the division.
Damn, Dmo told you that ? https://t.co/ttg4DY6H99
— David Montgomery (@MontgomerDavid) March 1, 2026
