Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

David Montgomery Shares Parting Message After Lions’ Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Yagya Bhargava | Last updated Mar 2, 2026 7:45 PM ET

David Montgomery is leaving Detroit, and the Lions are losing one half of a backfield pairing that worked. Montgomery is reportedly headed to the Houston Texans in a trade that sends a 2026 fourth-round pick, offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and a seventh-round selection back to Detroit, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

The deal becomes official when the new league year opens March 11. Montgomery spent three seasons alongside Jahmyr Gibbs in what fans affectionately called the "Sonic and Knuckles" backfield. In 45 games with the Detroit Lions, he carried the ball 562 times for 2,506 yards and found the end zone 33 times.

Originally a third-round pick of the Chicago Bears in the 2019 draft, Montgomery served as their primary back for four seasons before signing a three-year $18 million deal with Detroit in 2023. He later locked in a two-year $18.25 million extension in October 2024, per Spotrac.

Detroit Lions running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery recording a video after winning a game.Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Before heading to Houston, Montgomery posted a farewell on Instagram that said plenty about what Detroit meant to him.

"It's hard to find the right words for a goodbye like this," Montgomery wrote. "Detroit has never just been a location to me — it's been a community. And you all have been more than supporters or a team. You've been steady hands, loud cheers, honest feedback, and quiet strength when I needed it most."

He thanked the city for standing by him through the hard stretches, credited Detroit's resilience and loyalty and said everything he carries into the next chapter, the work ethic, the edge, the heart, comes straight from his time there.

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery runs onto the field for first half against Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In Houston, Montgomery steps into a different role. He logged a career-low workload last season, so a fresh start with the Houston Texans could mean more carries and a bigger piece of the offense.

This is the third straight offseason the Texans have gone after a proven veteran back. Joe Mixon came in via trade, Nick Chubb followed on a free agent deal, and now Montgomery is next in line.

The front office clearly believes in building that room with experience. Montgomery is on track to hit free agency again in 2028 barring a new deal in Houston.

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

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