If you listened closely to Brad Holmes during his end-of-season press conference, it sounded very possible that David Montgomery has played his last down in Detroit.
Whether it’s a trade, a release, or a cap-driven decision, the Lions appear to be preparing for life after their bruising, tone-setting running back. And if Montgomery is on the move, the next question becomes obvious:
Who pairs with Jahmyr Gibbs?
One free-agent name stands out immediately — Tyler Allgeier.
Why the Lions May Need a Montgomery Replacement
Montgomery has been the physical heartbeat of Detroit’s rushing attack, but the Lions may be ready to fully build around Gibbs as the offensive centerpiece. That doesn’t mean abandoning power football, it means finding a cheaper, younger version of the same role.
They still need:
- A downhill runner
- A short-yardage finisher
- A red-zone hammer
- A clock-killing closer
That profile leads straight to Allgeier.
Why Tyler Allgeier Is the Best Free-Agent Fit
Allgeier and Montgomery have been compared for years because their styles are nearly identical.
Both are:
- Physical through contact
- Tough between the tackles
- Reliable in short yardage and goal-line situations
In 2025, Allgeier rushed for 514 yards and 8 touchdowns on limited carries, showing how effective he is in the red zone. And just a few seasons ago, he proved he could handle a full workload by eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards in a season.
So while he’d be the complement to Gibbs in Detroit, he has the ability to carry the load if needed.
How Allgeier and Gibbs Would Complement Each Other
The pairing would mirror what Detroit had at its peak:
- Gibbs = explosive, versatile, space-creating weapon
- Allgeier = punishing, downhill, drive-finishing force
It allows the Lions to keep their physical identity while shifting the offense toward Gibbs as the true focal point.
Allgeier gives Detroit:
- A trusted short-yardage option
- A goal-line scorer
- A fourth-quarter closer
- A cost-effective Montgomery replacement
The Closest Thing to Montgomery on the Market
If the Lions move on from Montgomery, they won’t find a perfect clone. But Tyler Allgeier is as close as free agency gets.
Same running style.
Same toughness.
Same ability to punish defenses late in games.
And likely at a much more team-friendly price point.
If Brad Holmes is serious about retooling the backfield around Jahmyr Gibbs while maintaining Detroit’s physical edge, Allgeier is an extremely logical target.
