The future of running back David Montgomery in Detroit is currently uncertain following a season where he had a diminished role alongside Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs in the Lions’ backfield. Montgomery, who is contracted for two more years, has been the subject of discussions with Lions general manager Brad Holmes, who reported that there have been “healthy dialogue” sessions with both the player and his agent.
Although the 28-year-old running back is considering his options, including the possibility of requesting a trade to a team that would better feature him, Holmes emphasized the franchise’s appreciation for Montgomery. “We love David. He’s a great player. We’d love to have him,” Holmes stated at the NFL combine. He acknowledged the need to move on from last season’s disappointments and hinted at the fluid nature of their conversations.
Last season, Montgomery played all 17 games but experienced the lowest rushing figures of his career, with only 158 rushes and 182 touches. His average dropped significantly to just 9.3 rushes per game and 10.7 touches per game, down from 14.4 rushes and 16.3 touches in his first two seasons with Detroit. Additionally, his participation decreased during the latter part of the season, with a mere 41% of offensive snaps early on dwindling to 33% in the final games.
Montgomery’s contract stands at $5.49 million for the upcoming season, a figure that could provide the Lions with financial flexibility should they choose to explore trade opportunities.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell also indicated he has spoken with Montgomery but is allowing him the space to make his own decisions. With the recent hiring of Drew Petzing as the new offensive coordinator, Campbell expressed his desire to have Montgomery back to help improve after a challenging 9-8 season. “Drew loves him. I mean, who wouldn’t? This guy is a heck of a back,” Campbell said, reassuring that their discussions have been positive.
As the offseason progresses, both Montgomery and the team will have to navigate what the future holds, with an eye toward creating a more successful outcome in the upcoming season.