The Detroit Lions are facing a pivotal offseason, and the future of running back David Montgomery has become one of the franchise’s hottest topics as the NFL shifts into offseason mode. After missing the playoffs for a third consecutive year, the Lions' front office, led by general manager Brad Holmes, is juggling salary cap realities, roster construction, and the delicate balance of player relationships—all while a new offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing, takes the reins.
Montgomery, who joined the Lions in 2023 on a three-year, $18 million deal after being drafted 73rd overall by the Chicago Bears in 2019, experienced a challenging 2025 campaign. He posted career-lows with 158 rushing attempts and 716 rushing yards, marking the first season in which he averaged under 10 carries per game. The reduced role, particularly late in the year, led to mounting speculation about his future in Detroit, especially as the team failed to reach the postseason once again.
At the Pro Bowl Games last week, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who has formed a close bond with Montgomery over their three seasons together, didn’t mince words about his feelings. “Of course I want David back. The whole team would want David back, but it’s ultimately up to him. He’s going to do what’s best for him and his family and whatever he decides to do I’m going to support 100%. But of course we want him back, though,” Gibbs told the Detroit Free Press. His remarks echoed the sentiment in the locker room, highlighting Montgomery’s value both on and off the field.
The uncertainty surrounding Montgomery’s role and future was further fueled by Holmes’ candid comments during his end-of-season press conference. “Obviously, I know it was a tough year for him in terms of the lack of touches. I’m not going to say I went into it planning for it to be that way. So, those are discussions that we’re going to have to have a lot more depth in terms of, what’s the best plan for him moving forward. Is that somewhere else, or whatever the case may be,” Holmes said. He added, “I really appreciate everything he’s done for us if it does go that way, but I hope it doesn’t. We love David Montgomery. Those are conversations we’re gonna have, I have a lot of respect for that player.”
Holmes’ remarks suggest an openness to exploring a trade if that’s what Montgomery desires, or if it serves the team’s broader needs. According to anonymous NFL executives, there’s already significant interest brewing. “With his experience and ability to break tackles, several teams could be interested in trading for his services. Detroit will learn much more about Montgomery’s trade value in the next couple of weeks,” one executive explained. The financial implications are also under scrutiny: if the Lions trade Montgomery before June 1, 2026, they’ll incur $4.9 million in dead money but save $3.5 million in salary cap space. A post-June 1 trade would increase the savings to $6 million with only $2.4 million in dead money. Montgomery’s cap hit stands at $8,370,833 for 2026 and jumps to $10,245,833 for 2027—numbers that loom large as the Lions consider contract extensions for young stars like Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta.
For his part, Montgomery has remained publicly supportive of the team and his teammates, even as his role diminished. During Super Bowl week, he spoke in “we” terms regarding the Lions, suggesting he still sees himself as part of the organization. In a candid interview with Chris Simms’ podcast, Montgomery described his initial conversations with new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing as promising. “He was very intentional on what message he was getting across,” Montgomery said. “He wanted to ensure me, to let me know that he wants me to be a part of it. Yeah, I’m excited to see what’s next and see what kind of happens now.”
Montgomery also rejected any notion of a rift with Gibbs over carries. “I wouldn’t say dealing with it and I wouldn’t say stealing,” Montgomery said. “I would say you’re on a team where you get the luxury of having two guys like that. And I’m a competitor just like anybody else who’s playing at a high level in a professional sport. Everybody wants to play, and everybody wants to be involved. But the good thing about this thing is I’m an incredible teammate, and I’ll do whatever it is that I need to do to ensure that my team is going in the right direction. But I also want to be a part of that also.”
The arrival of Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator could be a game-changer for both Montgomery and the Lions’ offense. Quarterback Jared Goff has already praised Petzing’s versatility and intelligence, noting, “I think the thing that excites me the most is going to be his versatility. He’s not tied to an offense. We’re going to kind of run what we’re best at and what we should be doing, which, some of the stuff we’ve done the last few years, that’s worked.” Goff emphasized Petzing’s “mental dexterity” and his ability to adapt the offense to the players’ strengths—a quality that could open new doors for Montgomery if he remains in Detroit.
Tight end Trey McBride, who thrived under Petzing in Arizona, shared his optimism for the Lions’ offense, particularly for Sam LaPorta, who is recovering from surgery. “I texted him right away,” McBride said. “Man, you’re going to love it. You’re going to eat, you’re going to have a great career.” The endorsement bodes well for the Lions’ young core, but the salary cap crunch means tough decisions are ahead.
As the Lions navigate this crucial offseason, the fate of David Montgomery remains front and center. Holmes has made it clear that the organization respects Montgomery’s contributions and wants to find the best path forward—whether that means a fresh start elsewhere or another run in Honolulu blue. With trade talks expected to heat up as the NFL Scouting Combine approaches, and with Gibbs and the locker room voicing their support, Montgomery’s next chapter is still unwritten.
One thing’s for sure: the Lions’ backfield, and perhaps their entire offense, could look very different when the 2026 season kicks off. For now, all eyes are on Detroit’s front office as they weigh loyalty, talent, and the hard numbers of the NFL’s business side. Stay tuned—this story is far from over.