Lions reportedly trade veteran RB David Montgomery to Texans

Yahoo Sports Staff Mon, March 2, 2026 at 5:18 PM UTC

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The Detroit Lions are trading veteran running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Monday.

The Texans will send their 2026 fourth-round pick, offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and a seventh-round pick for Montgomery, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports. The deal won't officially go through until the start of the new league year on March 11.

The news comes just one day after Montgomery denied reports that he "wanted out" of Detroit, refuting a report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that he was seeking a fresh start, also noting that the Lions would want "possibly a fifth-rounder" in return for the vet.

Montgomery was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears as a third-round pick out of the 2019 NFL Draft class. After four years in Chicago as the team's lead running back, he signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the Lions in free agency in 2023, following that up with a two-year, $18.25 million contract extension in Oct. 2024.

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Montgomery is scheduled to become a free agent again in 2028, barring a new deal with Houston.

Houston offers Montgomery a fresh start and the chance to boost his carries after a career-low season. Montgomery gives the Texans a reliable veteran option in the backfield. Last season, the Texans relied on rookie running back Woody Marks and Nick Chubb in the backfield. The Texans were 22nd in rushing yards per game and 31st in rushing touchdowns last season, despite being 13th in rushing attempts

With Chubb set to hit free agency and Joe Mixon still recovering from a foot injury, Montgomery and Marks are expected to be the team's leading rushers next season.

The Texans have also continued to shift their offensive line, trading Tytus Howard and Scruggs.

For the Lions, trading Montgomery frees up more touches for leading rusher Jahmyr Gibbs. He also frees up cap space, allowing the Lions to extend players such as Gibbs, Jack Campbell and Brian Branch.

Scruggs, a 2023 second-round pick, adds depth to the Lions' offensive line after the team struggled last season, while the newly acquired picks will help fill other team needs.

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Source: “AOL Sports”