Lions general manager Brad Holmes said after the season that he would have “conversations” about trading David Montgomery, citing that the quarterback deserved to be in a situation where his talents could be used to their full potential.
Fellow running back Jahmyr Gibbs addressed the situation at the Pro Bowl Games about a month later.
“Of course I want David back,” Gibbs told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “The whole team would like David back, but at the end of the day it’s up to him. He’s going to do what’s best for him and his family and whatever he decides to do I’ll support 100%. But of course we want him back.”
Gibbs and Montgomery have manned Detroit’s backfield together over the past three seasons, with Montgomery punishing defenses to wear them down before Gibbs attacks with his speed. They have combined for 6,086 rushing yards, 2,099 receiving yards and 82 total touchdowns on the season as the NFL’s outstanding RB duo.
However, the consideration of trading Montgomery to give him a bigger role elsewhere comes after the 28-year-old was used sparingly in 2025 as Gibbs, who will be just 24 next season, continued his ascension as an extremely electric piece back.
Montgomery finished last season with career lows in rushing attempts (158) and rushing yards (716). For the first time in his seven seasons in the league, he averaged under 10 carries per game. Most of his reduced workload came toward the end of the season as Detroit desperately tried to find playoff traction and needed Gibbs to generate offense more than in recent years. After getting 10-plus carries in seven of the team’s first nine games, Montgomery took just that many carries the rest of the way.