The Detroit Lions have traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs along with fourth- and seventh-round picks, according to multiple reports on Monday.
The veteran running back reportedly wanted more carries, a claim he took to social media to deny on Sunday during the NFL combine.
“At running back, the Lions’ David Montgomery wants out,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported, also sharing that the Lions already might have a price tag in mind while naming a potential suitor — which was Houston.
“(Montgomery) has a reasonable contract (owed US$6 million in 2026) and is 28. That has value,” Fowler wrote. “Word out of Indy is that Detroit would want a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder) in return. Seattle makes sense here if it can’t re-sign Kenneth Walker III.”
However, Montgomery — who hadn’t posted on X since March 2024 — broke his social-media silence to debunk the report.
“Damn, (D-Mo) told you that?” Montgomery’s account tweeted on Sunday afternoon while reposting the story.
In return for the seven-year veteran, the Lions got back some much-needed depth on the offensive line and extra selections in next month’s draft.
Is Montgomery a good player?
Montgomery formed a high-powered tandem at running back alongside Jahymr Gibbs over his three years with the Lions, earning the nicknames of “Sonic” and “Knuckles” after the popular speedy video-game characters, with Montgomery serving as the bruising red Echidna.
Montgomery joined the Lions in 2023 after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Chicago Bears. In his first season, Montgomery ran for 1,015 yards and scored 13 touchdowns on 219 carries.
However, with Gibbs’ workload increasing over the following two seasons, Montgomery’s totals dropped to 775 rushing yards in 2024 and a career-low 716 this past season. He remained an effective weapon near the goal-line, scoring 20 TDs over the past two years.
Montgomery figures to compete with sophomore Woody Marks for the starting job while former Pro Bowl RB Joe Mixon should be back after missing the 2025 season due to injury.