NFL star traded hours after denying he wanted out – Sports News
Montgomery was chosen by the Chicago Bears within the third spherical of the 2019 NFL draft (Image: Getty)
David Montgomery was dealt from the Detroit Lions to the Houston Texans mere hours after publicly refuting a report claiming he desired to depart Detroit.
On Sunday morning on the NFL Combine, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported, “At running back, the Lions’ David Montgomery wants out.”
The report prompt that Detroit would pursue “a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder)” in exchange and pointed out that Montgomery was set to obtain $6 million in 2026. It comes after an NFL reporter stole the show together with her Combine protection.
Montgomery, whose rookie season despair was partly pushed by fantasy soccer, swiftly responded on X, posting, “Damn, [D-Mo] told you that?” It marked his first post on the platform since March 2024.
The 28-year-old working back supplied no extra particulars, however the implication was unmistakable: the push to depart had not originated from him. Nevertheless, by Monday morning, a transaction was accomplished.
On March 16, 2023, Montgomery signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the Lions (Image: Getty)
Houston obtained Montgomery in exchange for a fourth-round decide and a seventh-round decide. Offensive lineman Juice Scruggs was additionally half of the package deal heading back to Detroit.
Texans normal supervisor Nick Caserio had been outspoken on the Combine concerning the need to bolster the workforce’s ground sport. In 2025, Houston averaged 108.9 dashing yards per sport, inserting twenty second within the NFL.
The workforce’s 3.9 yards per carry positioned twenty ninth, while 9 dashing touchdowns have been tied for twenty seventh. Montgomery is set to hitch a backfield that features second-year working back Woody Marks, who racked up 911 yards from scrimmage during his rookie season.
His addition additionally raises questions concerning the future of Joe Mixon, who sat out the whole 2025 season on account of harm and is within the final yr of his contract.
Montgomery was traded to the Houston Texans in exchange for his or her fourth-round decide, a 2027 seventh-round decide, and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs (Image: Getty)
Whilst in Detroit, Montgomery fashioned an efficient duo with Jahmyr Gibbs, referred to as “Sonic and Knuckles.”
Gibbs managed a career-high 320 touches in 2025, while Montgomery’s workload decreased to 182 touches. He ended the season with 158 carries for 716 yards and eight touchdowns.
This change in utilization sparked rumors about his satisfaction in Detroit, significantly after he surpassed 1,000 dashing yards in 2023 earlier than witnessing his position diminish over the next two seasons.
Lions normal supervisor Brad Holmes acknowledged ongoing talks final week, stating, “We love David. He’s a great player. We’d love to have him. Kind of want to put last year in the rear view and just move forward.
“But, clearly, a participant has to need to be in a sure place as effectively. So these conversations are nonetheless fluid, and we’re simply making an attempt to see how it goes.”
Regardless of whether Montgomery advocated for a change or not, the result was quick. He is under contract through the 2027 season, although none of the remaining money is guaranteed.
Montgomery entered the league as a third-round decide of the Chicago Bears in 2019 and has rushed for six,115 yards and 59 touchdowns throughout 105 regular-season video games.
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