The Detroit Lions are trading running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans, sources told Ian Rapoport. Houston will send Detroit a fourth-round and seventh-round pick, plus offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, according to Rapoport.
Montgomery spent the last three seasons with the Lions after coming over from the Bears, forming an electric backfield duo with fellow running back Jahmyr Gibbs. The duo was nicknamed “Sonic and Knuckles” for their contrasting styles, with Gibbs being the dynamic speedster and Montgomery a downhill rusher. Montgomery rushed for 2,506 yards and 33 touchdowns across his three seasons in Detroit, including a career-high 13 scores in 2023.
The Texans running game was abysmal last season. The leading rusher for Houston last year was rookie back Woody Marks with 703 yards, and he by no means had an amazing season statistically. The running back room lacked a lead back last year due to the absence and wild situation of Joe Mixon. Mixon would missed the entire season with a foot injury, and his future with the team (and maybe even the league) seems highly in doubt now.
With the addition of David Montgomery, this Houston Texans backfield looks to improve on what was a very putrid run game across the whole field and especially in the red zone last year. Both the offensive line and the running back struggle last year, so now it seems like it’s just going to come down to can Houston figure out this offensive line situation.  they have a talented enough running back room now, it’s just going come down to fixing that offensive line room. 
Leave a Reply