The Detroit Lions have finalized the trade of veteran running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans, concluding weeks of uncertainty following the NFL Combine. The exchange, completed in late May 2024, sends Montgomery to Houston in return for two draft selections—a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft and a seventh-round pick in 2027—plus offensive guard Juice Scruggs. This trade represents a strategic move by Detroit as they reshape their backfield and bolster their offensive line depth while managing salary cap concerns.
Details of the Trade and Player Background
David Montgomery’s departure marks the end of a three-season stint with the Lions, where he consistently produced despite evolving roles. In his first year, Montgomery rushed for 1,015 yards with 13 touchdowns, followed by two seasons each with at least 700 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. However, his workload declined last season due to the emergence of Jahmyr Gibbs as Detroit’s primary running back. Montgomery’s 158 carries over 17 games were the fewest of his career, reflecting a shift in team dynamics and offensive focus.
Montgomery’s career achievements put him among Detroit’s elite running backs, joining Jahmyr Gibbs, Barry Sanders, Billy Sims, and Dutch Clark as one of only five in franchise history to exceed 2,500 rushing yards and score more than 30 touchdowns. Despite his accomplishments, tensions arose as Montgomery expressed frustration over his decreased usage and desire for more involvement in the offense.
Trade Negotiations and Decision Process
Lions general manager Brad Holmes maintained open communication with Montgomery’s camp throughout the NFL Combine week. Holmes indicated mutual respect for Montgomery as a player and person, but acknowledged the importance of a player’s will to remain with a team. As Holmes put it,
“a player has to want to be at a certain place, as well.”
After reports surfaced that Montgomery wanted out, confirmed by Montgomery’s own social media reaction saying, “Damn, Dmo told you that?”, the trade quickly followed.
While there was initial hope that offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s hiring might keep Montgomery in Detroit, especially given Montgomery’s positive remarks about Petzing, the decision favored moving ahead without the running back. Holmes expressed support for Montgomery’s future prospects, stating,
“deserves to be in a situation where his skill set can be utilized.”
Implications for the Lions’ Roster and Salary Cap
Montgomery’s contract carried a cap hit of $8.37 million for 2026. The Lions will clear nearly $4 million in cap space following this pre-June 1 trade, allowing them financial flexibility heading into the next league year. Additionally, the acquired fourth-round draft pick supplements Detroit’s roster-building options after trading away their recent third-round pick in the Isaac TeSlaa deal last year. The specific position of Houston’s fourth-round selection remains uncertain, as Houston holds two such picks, including one acquired via the Commanders.
Detroit will likely explore running back options, either through the draft or free agency, to supplement their backfield depth. With Montgomery’s reduced workload last season, the Lions relied heavily on Jahmyr Gibbs and limited usage of other backs, mainly in special teams roles. Jacob Saylors and recent fourth-round pick Sione Vaki are positioned for increased responsibilities. Saylors earned a roster spot last year and handled most kick return duties, while Vaki, shifted from safety to running back, has demonstrated strong contributions on special teams but limited impact on offense thus far.
Assessing the Value of Offensive Guard Juice Scruggs
Included in the trade, Juice Scruggs offers the Lions immediate offensive line reinforcement. The 26-year-old was a 2023 second-round pick from Penn State who saw extensive action, starting one game and participating in all 17 Texans matches last season, accumulating 351 offensive snaps plus 83 on special teams. At 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, Scruggs was characterized as a “block of granite” in his draft profile, highlighting his physicality and reliability.
Primarily utilized at left guard (950 snaps), Scruggs also has experience at center (568 snaps) and right guard (143 snaps). His collegiate background includes more than 1,000 snaps as a full-time center starter at Penn State. Given the Lions’ current needs, he could strengthen their interior line, especially amid concerns over Christian Mahogany’s injury struggles last season and the potential position shift involving Tate Ratledge from guard to center.
Detroit views Scruggs as a player with room to grow in a refreshed system and a better opportunity to secure a stable role after facing inconsistency on a struggling Texans offensive line. His versatility and youth make him a valuable addition in pursuit of increased competition and depth on the line, aligning with head coach Dan Campbell’s push for improved roster strength at multiple positions.
Lions’ Future Running Back Strategy Post-Trade
With Montgomery’s exit, the Lions face important decisions about their rushing attack and backfield depth. The team’s investment in Vaki and confidence in Saylors suggest growing internal competition but likely won’t suffice as a direct replacement for Montgomery’s production. Detroit may pursue a veteran back via free agency or eye potential draft candidates to ensure sufficient depth and versatility.
The trade highlights the Lions’ readiness to adjust personnel based on performance, player fit, and locker room dynamics, emphasizing the importance of mutual commitment in building a cohesive unit. Montgomery’s trade clears room not only financially but also philosophically, creating space for players eager to carve out a more significant role in a system featuring Jahmyr Gibbs as the lead rusher.
As the 2024 season approaches, securing effective contributors on offense remains a priority, with the added draft capital and new guard Scruggs offering a foundation for reinforcement. How Detroit capitalizes on these assets will be crucial to their offensive progress moving forward.
Damn, Dmo told you that ? https://t.co/ttg4DY6H99
— David Montgomery (@MontgomerDavid) March 1, 2026
