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The outlook of the Detroit Lions’ offseason has significantly changed this week with the trading of David Montgomery. While the move was not entirely unexpected, it does leave the Lions with another significant need moving forward. Thankfully, the free agency pool has some options for Detroit, and they could come relatively cheap—even if the Lions aren’t likely to get a player at Montgomery’s level.
Here’s our breakdown of the NFL free agency pool at running back, and the best fits for the Lions.
Previously:
Under contract:
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs
- RB Sione Vaki
- RB Jacob Saylors
- RB Kye Robichaux
- RB Jabari Small
Lions free agents:
- None
While the Lions have no free agents, the trading of David Montgomery obviously leaves a significant hole at the RB2 spot. There’s always a chance the Lions believe Vaki could take over that role, but there have been no actual indications the team would trust him with such a significant promotion. Over the last two years, Montgomery averaged over 11 carries per game. Vaki only has seven career rushes over two seasons.
In short, I believe the Lions will very much be in the market for at least a short-term solution to their RB2 vacancy.
Top free agent RBs available:
Note: Estimated contract numbers are via PFF.
- RB Kenneth Walker (estimated deal: 3 years, $27M)
- RB Breece Hall (3 years, $37M)
- RB Travis Etienne Jr. (3 years, $34.5M)
- RB Javonte Williams (3 years, $23M)
I don’t think it makes much sense for the Lions to get involved in the high-market players in free agency. While the Lions proved they believe the RB2 role is worth an investment by giving Montgomery the two-year, $18.25 million extension in 2024, with Jahmyr Gibbs’ extension coming up, it seems highly unlikely Detroit would be willing to spend anywhere close to $10 million a year on a backup. Gibbs’ role has only been expanding, which means Detroit should only be spending modest money on the secondary role.
Best fits:
- RB Tyler Allgeier (2 years, $10M)
- RB Najee Harris (1 year, $1.35M)
- RB Brian Robinson (1 year, $2.75M)
- RB Isaiah Pacheco (1 year, $2.25M)
- RB Nick Chubb (1 year, $1.75M)
- RB James Conner — not a free agent… yet
I actually think this is a relatively good free agency group to need a bruising back on a short-term deal.
If the Lions want to invest significantly, Allgeier may be their best option. It would be a bit ironic for Allgeier to move from Bijan Robinson’s backup—Gibbs’ draft-mate—to Gibbs’ backup, and it’s entirely possible he wouldn’t come to Detroit because he’s seeking a bigger role. But his fit with the Lions would be tough to deny considering Allgeier’s strong production as a physical back. He’ll also just be 26 next season, so he could be more of a long-term option.
If Detroit is just looking for a short-term solution while keeping their options open in the draft, there are still plenty of veteran options that could work.
- Harris (6-foot-1, 242), 28, is coming off a torn Achilles in September, so he’ll be on a discount. But he produced four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons prior to the injury and at least six touchdowns each year.
- Robinson, 27, spent last year behind Christian McCaffrey and produced a modest 400 yards and two touchdowns. He was more productive in Washington, where he produced positive Rushing Yards over Expected (RYOE) in each of his first three seasons.
- Pacheco, 27, has seen his production dive since his fantastic rookies season in 2022, but he remains a tough back to bring down. In 2023, he produced 15 broken tackles, just two fewer than Montgomery that season, on a very similar workload (Pacheco: 205 carries, Montgomery: 219)
- Chubb, 30, is far removed from his time among the best running backs in the league, and injuries have derailed his recent seasons. But in 2025, he had a bit of a comeback, producing 506 rushing yards, 4.1 yards per carry, and three touchdowns in 15 games and nine starts—behind a Texans offensive line that is getting overhauled this offseason.
- I had to mention Conner here, as he is expected to be a cap casualty for the Cardinals in a move that would create $7.5 million in cap space. The connection to Lions OC Drew Petzing is obvious here, but so is the schematic fit. Conner will be 31 and he’s coming off a gruesome ankle injury suffered in September, so there is significant risk here. But he’ll likely come cheap, and prior to the injury, he had produced back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons under Petzing, both averaging north over 4.6 yards per carry.