David Montgomery makes ‘inevitable’ confession about Jahmyr Gibbs breakup

The Detroit Lions will miss the Sonic and Knuckles era when the 2026 season kicks off this fall. Detroit traded running back David Montgomery to Houston, breaking up his dynamic duo with Jahmyr Gibbs. The veteran running back made his feelings about Gibbs and the Lions clear during a recent podcast interview.

Montgomery talked about his departure from Detroit on a recent episode of Deebo & Joe.

“When I was in Detroit, I thought I was going to be there for the rest of my career,” Montgomery said. “I love the City of Detroit. They showed me an immense amount of love. Coach Campbell, a dope coach, you know. But when you you start to get a little older playing the game, at a professional level, and you start to kind of see how things unfold, you gotta get met with like a tough decision. And you know, I was met with that.”

Montgomery believes it was “inevitable” that he would eventually be traded. The emergence of Gibbs as one of the NFL’s best backs meant fewer carries for Montgomery during each of his three seasons as a Lion.

“It was inevitable that it was happening,” Montgomery added. “I mean, me and Jahmyr were doing stuff together that was amazing. Like, we will go down, this, I don’t care what nobody says, I think we were the best running back duo to kind of do it together.”

Montgomery does not have any bad blood for Detroit despite the heartbreaking trade. But he has already moved on and embraced Houston as his new home.

“But I’m always going to have love for Detroit,” Montgomery concluded. “That’s always going to be home for me and I’m always going to love that city. But, I’m in Houston now.”

Montgomery will have the chance to see his old teammates once again before the regular season. Detroit and Houston face off in Week 2 of the NFL preseason later this fall.