Lions Trade Montgomery to Texans for Draft Pick

The trade comes less than a week after Lions general manager Brad Holmes expressed his desire to keep Montgomery in Detroit. The 29-year-old running back was reportedly unhappy with his reduced role last season, when he posted career-lows in rushing yards and attempts while serving as the clear No. 2 behind Jahmyr Gibbs. The duo had formed one of the NFL's best 1-2 running back tandems in 2023-24.

Montgomery is scheduled to make $6 million this fall in the first year of a two-year extension. With the trade, the Lions now need to find a cost-effective replacement, with potential options including Brian Robinson, Najee Harris, and Cardinals running backs Michael Carter and Emari Demercado.