The future of David Montgomery in Detroit is clouded with uncertainty as trade rumors intensify ahead of the 2026 NFL season. Sources revealed at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis that Montgomery desires a move away from the Lions, while Detroit appears ready to accommodate this if the price is right, spotlighting the growing tensions around the veteran running back’s role.
Montgomery’s decline in usage and shifting team dynamics have fueled speculation about his next destination. With Detroit prioritizing Jahmyr Gibbs and Montgomery’s diminishing carries, multiple teams could find value in adding his physical running style to their roster.
Shifting Role Reflected in Declining Performance Metrics
Since joining the Lions in 2023, David Montgomery’s workload has steadily decreased as Jahmyr Gibbs has assumed a dominant role in Detroit’s backfield. His carries per game dropped from 15.6 during his rookie year to just 9.3 in the 2025 season, despite playing more games that year. Total rushing yardage also followed this downward trend, falling from 1,015 yards on 219 attempts in 2023 to 716 yards on 158 attempts in 2024.
Another indicator of Montgomery’s reduced impact is his Expected Points Added (EPA), a key efficiency metric. Montgomery’s total EPA plummeted by 72%, from +16.73 in 2023 to +4.64 in 2025. His EPA per rush currently stands slightly negative at -0.004, reflecting his deployment primarily in low-value, short-yardage situations where it’s challenging to generate positive gains.
Notably, even these short-yardage opportunities are becoming scarce. Montgomery’s touches inside the red zone decreased from 54 to 36 between 2023 and 2025, alongside a drop in rushing touchdowns from 13 in 14 games to 8 in 17. Meanwhile, Gibbs recorded 13 rushing touchdowns last season and is set for a significant contract extension, signaling Detroit’s clear direction.
Despite the reduced volume, Montgomery’s efficiency metrics remain solid. His 4.53 yards per carry in 2025 nearly matched his initial season’s average, and his career-high yards after contact per carry (3.77) demonstrate his toughness and reliability. However, the diminishing ball control points to a backfield no longer centered on the veteran.
Detroit Lions’ Perspective on Potential Trade
Detroit’s general manager Brad Holmes cautiously addressed Montgomery’s status at the NFL Combine, indicating the team’s willingness to part ways if the situation calls for it.
“We love David. He’s a great player… but a player has to want to be at a certain place as well,”
Holmes stated, hinting at Montgomery’s possible desire to leave the franchise.
Holmes further emphasized the team’s wish to move forward from last season’s struggles.
“We want to put last year in the rearview and just move forward,”
he added. With Montgomery facing a $8.4 million salary cap hit in 2026 and the Lions prioritizing Gibbs’ extension, the front office has strong motivation to explore trade options.
The asking price remains modest, likely a fifth-round pick, indicating Detroit’s desire for a swift deal should a suitable suitor arise.
Potential Teams Interested in Acquiring Montgomery
If the Lions decide to trade Montgomery, several teams stand out as probable destinations given their current roster situations and running back needs.
1. Seattle Seahawks
Among the suggested options, the Seattle Seahawks represent the most compelling fit. With Kenneth Walker III entering unrestricted free agency, and Zach Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL, the Seahawks face a potential void at running back heading into 2026. After leading the league in rush attempts last season, Seattle could rely on Montgomery as a capable interim solution, filling a critical gap.
Given the minimal trade compensation expected—a fifth-round pick—the Seahawks could secure a veteran back capable of maintaining their ground game’s effectiveness while awaiting Walker’s contract resolution.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs confront uncertainty in their backfield as superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes recovers from ACL surgery. With an offensive strategy likely to emphasize the run game to ease pressure on Mahomes, securing a dependable back could be crucial early in the season.
Should Kenneth Walker’s market price be too steep in free agency, Montgomery offers an attractive alternative. The Chiefs’ head coach, Andy Reid, has a history of maximizing versatile backs in complementary roles, and Montgomery’s reliability in short-yardage situations aligns with that philosophy.
3. Carolina Panthers
While less obvious, the Carolina Panthers present an intriguing long-shot option. Their backfield situation is in flux, as free agent Rico Dowdle is expected to draw considerable external interest. Losing Dowdle would leave Carolina with a genuine hole in their running back rotation.
Montgomery’s veteran presence and steady production could recreate the Panthers’ recent successful running back tandem seen with Dowdle and Chubba Hubbard, without requiring a major financial commitment. At a bargain trade cost, this option fits Carolina’s strategy as they focus on other offseason priorities.
The Implications Ahead for Montgomery and Detroit
Although Montgomery pushed back subtly on reports about his desire to leave—tweeting
“Damn, Dmo told you that?”
—the Lions’ direction appears resolved. Jahmyr Gibbs holds the team’s confidence as their future, and Montgomery’s role is being phased out.
Montgomery remains a strong and efficient runner capable of contributing, but Detroit’s strategic planning and salary cap considerations make a trade increasingly likely. With multiple teams needing quality running back depth, a trade could materialize before or during the 2026 NFL Draft, marking the end of Montgomery’s Detroit chapter and setting a new course for his career.
