Lions' Montgomery may be a potential replacement for Walker

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery. Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Are Sonic and Knuckles poised to split?: Lions RB David Montgomery may be a potential replacement for Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Mar 1, 2026 1:04 PM ET

Sonic and Knuckles may be splitting up this offseason.

Detroit Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have formed one of the top backfield tandems in the NFL over the past three seasons. Knuckles, however, reportedly wants to go somewhere where he can be an RB1.

In a column published Sunday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Montgomery "wants out" of Detroit, and the team would want just a Day 3 pick in return for the RB. It's worth noting that the Lions star refuted the report.

The story also noted the Seattle Seahawks would be a potential destination for Montgomery if they don't re-sign RB Kenneth Walker III, which is now looking more likely.

Damn, Dmo told you that ? https://t.co/ttg4DY6H99
— David Montgomery (@MontgomerDavid) March 1, 2026

Why Seahawks may lose Kenneth Walker III

In the same ESPN story, Dan Graziano noted Walker is "generating enough interest to spell the end of his time in Seattle."

Walker's value has skyrocketed after becoming the first RB since Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Davis to win Super Bowl MVP. During Seattle's 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, the 2022 second-round pick ran for 135 yards on 27 carries.

That capped off a career year for the RB, who turns 26 on Oct. 20. In 2025, Walker ranked 16th in the NFL in rushing yards (1,027) during the regular season and had the most rushing yards during the postseason (313).

Spotrac estimates his market value at a four-year deal worth $9M annually, but he could receive more after fellow RB Javonte Williams signed a three-year, $24M contract with the Dallas Cowboys. Plenty of teams (Denver Broncos, Houston Texans) will be willing to offer him the big bucks when free agency starts on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.

Montgomery — who turns 29 on June 7 — would be a solid replacement for Walker. The Lions star split carries with Gibbs again last season, but ran for 716 yards on 158 carries and tied for 13th in the league in rushing touchdowns (eight).

Can Lions manage without David Montgomery?

Montgomery leaving Detroit would be a bummer for Gibbs, who has said, "Of course I want David back."

It's apparent, though, that Gibbs can handle flying solo. In 2025, he ranked fifth in the NFL in yards from scrimmage (1,839, 1,223 rushing and 616 receiving) and second in TDs (18, 13 rushing and five receiving). For his efforts, the 2023 first-round pick earned his third consecutive Pro Bowl nod.

If the Lions do ship the RB elsewhere, they will no longer be able to sell Sonic and Knuckles-inspired merchandise in their team store. That said, Detroit can take solace in knowing it has a budding star in Gibbs, who may kick it into turbo mode in 2026 if he's no longer sharing a backfield with Montgomery.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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