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Why Lions traded David Montgomery to Texans for small return originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Detroit Lions have split Knuckles from Sonic.
Their two-headed backfield is now just one. David Montgomery has been traded to the Houston Texans on Monday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The Texans are sending a fifth-round pick back to the Lions.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote about this over the weekend.
"The Lions' David Montgomery wants out, has a reasonable contract (owed $6 million in 2026) and is 28," Fowler wrote. "That has value. Word out of Indy is that Detroit would want a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder) in return."
He got the cost right, and Montgomery now goes to Houston.
MORE: Cowboys show how NFL salary cap is (mostly) fake
Why did the Lions trade David Montgomery to the Texans?
Montgomery's trade is mostly about empowering Gibbs.
The younger back already took over the RB workload in 2025 after it had been an even split previously.
Montgomery is 28 now, and running backs often fall off rather quickly.
This move gets the Lions value back for Montgomery before injury or decline hits him.
Montgomery still ran for eight touchdowns in 2025 despite the reduced workload.
He also averaged 4.5 yards per carry in the recent campaign, showing that when given the chance, Monty is still a quality player.
It'll just be with the Texans now, not the Lions.
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