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Barry Sanders Makes Strong Statement on Lions’ RB Tandem Ahead of 2025 Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Orlando Silva | Last updated May 6, 2025 10:40 AM ET

Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders is high on his former team's current running back duo: Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. These two have created chemistry that not many teams have been able to replicate.

The Lions will enter the 2025 NFL season with several questions to answer, starting with how they will adapt to life after offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn left to take head-coaching jobs with the Chicago Bears and New York Jets, respectively.

Gibbs and Montgomery will work under new OC John Morton, hoping to keep improving. Sanders is confident that this partnership can do special things for the Lions, contrary to what many within the league think about running backs.

Sanders told USA Today on Thursday that Gibbs and Montgomery are going to be key to a potential Lions Super Bowl win.

“They’re the best duo in the NFL and there’s no reason that’s going to change any time soon,” Sanders said. “If a Super Bowl is in our future, in our near future, you would think those two guys would be a big part of it.”

Detroit appeared to be the team meant to beat the Kansas City Chiefs on the way to what would have been their first Super Bowl championship. However, a rookie quarterback named Jayden Daniels and his inspired Washington Commanders upset the NFC North team in the divisional round, ending their impressive season with a 45-31 win at Ford Field.

In the end, the Philadelphia Eagles, led by star running back Saquon Barkley, ended up beating the Commanders in the NFC championship game before dominating Patrick Mahomes and Co. in Super Bowl LIX.

Barkley appears to have given the blueprint to the rest of the NFL. Contrary to most teams, the Lions have two running backs who can move the needle. Used in the right way, these two can make magic for a team with the potential to compete for the ultimate prize.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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