David Montgomery, after three seasons with the Detroit Lions, has been traded to the Houston Texans following rumors that he requested a move. The Lions sent the seven-year veteran running back to Houston on Monday, receiving a fourth-round pick, a seventh-round pick, and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs in return. Montgomery had formed a strong backfield partnership with Jahmyr Gibbs, whom Detroit drafted in the first round of 2023, but as Gibbs rose in prominence, Montgomery’s role gradually lessened.
Jahmyr Gibbs Shares Emotional Response to the Trade
Following the trade announcement, Jahmyr Gibbs posted a heartfelt response on his Instagram story, featuring an image of Sonic and Knuckles, the iconic video game duo that the pair had nicknamed themselves after during their time together. Both characters were shown crying, and Gibbs added only a simple heartbreak emoji to express his feelings. The gesture highlighted the close bond the two shared as teammates on the Lions’ offense.
Impact of the Lions’ Rushing Attack Last Season
Last season, the Detroit Lions gained over 6,000 yards of total offense, with their rushing unit—powered by Gibbs and Montgomery—accounting for 2,041 yards. Montgomery carried the ball 158 times for 716 yards and eight touchdowns, while Gibbs recorded 243 attempts for 1,223 yards and 13 touchdowns. In addition to his rushing contributions, Gibbs played a more significant role in the passing game out of the backfield, solidifying himself as a multifaceted offensive weapon.
Montgomery’s Role with the Houston Texans Moving Forward
Houston is expected to transition away from veteran running back Joe Mixon, and Montgomery’s arrival provides the Texans with an affordable and dependable option. Montgomery will join Woody Marks, who emerged as Houston’s primary starter last season during Mixon’s absence. This pairing aims to stabilize the Texans’ backfield and maintain a productive rushing attack in the upcoming season.
Jahmyr Gibbs weighs in on the David Montgomery trade, via IG. pic.twitter.com/kHWTpEZjQf
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 2, 2026
