The Detroit Lions have officially made a move at running back.
According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, the Lions are trading veteran RB David Montgomery to the Houston Texans for a 5th Round Pick, sources told The Insiders.
UPDATE VIA IAN RAPOPORT:
“Update on terms: It’s the Texans fourth rounder, OL Juice Scruggs, and a 7th rounder for David Montgomery, per sources. So, fifth-round value. But a complex deal.”
The move comes just days after reports surfaced suggesting Montgomery “wanted out” of Detroit, a claim Montgomery publicly questioned on social media. Now, the situation has been resolved with a deal that sends the physical, downhill runner to Houston.
Why the Lions Made the Move
From Detroit’s perspective, the timing makes sense:
- Jahmyr Gibbs has clearly become the focal point of the offense
- His contract carried a notable cap hit for a reduced role
- The Lions are continuing to reshape the roster around their core
Trading Montgomery clears both cap space and snaps, allowing Detroit to fully lean into Gibbs while exploring cheaper depth options behind him.
What Houston Is Getting
For the Texans, Montgomery brings:
- Proven early-down and goal-line production
- Pass protection reliability
- Veteran leadership for a young offense
Houston adds a back who can immediately stabilize its run game and complement its existing skill talent.
The Bottom Line
David Montgomery was a key part of Detroit’s rise over the past few seasons, providing toughness and reliability during the Lions’ turnaround. But the NFL moves fast, and this trade signals Detroit’s full commitment to its new offensive identity.
More details to come as this story develops.
