Jahmyr Gibbs, NFL media react to David Montgomery trade

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 4: David Montgomery #5 of the Detroit Lions and Jahmyr Gibbs #0 of the Detroit Lions react as they walk off the field following an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field on December 04, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images

When the Detroit Lions signed David Montgomery during 2023's free agency period, the move felt bold-a declaration that the franchise saw it necessary to improve stable of running backs. After all, Jamaal Williams, a fan favorite and productive runner in his own right, led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (17) and seemed to be experiencing a career renaissance in Detroit. Some questioned if Montgomery would be worth the price-three years and $18 million-and some wondered if he would be an appreciable upgrade over Williams.

It didn't take long to see how Montgomery represented an evolutionary step and productive leap in Detroit's running game. Alongside rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, the two formed one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL. Just a little over a year into into his time with the Lions, Montgomery was given an extension, but it was more than just a financial reward: it was a firm commitment that the Lions viewed him as a focal point to their offense.

The fallout from the 2025 season, however, led us to today.

Brad Holmes' end-of-the-year press conference certainly stirred the rumor mill. Some Super Bowl media rounds and a courtside appearance of Montgomery at a Pistons game breathed life into him sticking around. Jeremy Fowler's report Sunday that Montgomery was seeking a trade was met with the running back's first tweet in two years.

And after all that, maybe that's what makes the reported trade to the Houston Texans so jarring. In a league where running backs are often viewed as interchangeable, Montgomery felt like more than that in Detroit. From national analysts largely questioning the price paid by the Texans to teammates expressing surprise and appreciation on social media, the response to the deal was immediate and loud after an offseason of breadcrumbs and whiplash.

Here are some of Montgomery's teammates immediate reaction to the news of his trade to Houston:

And here are some of the reactions from analysts:

Why did it require two picks and an OL to get this deal done????????????????? https://t.co/O793S3GXl6

- Diante Lee (@DianteLeeFB) March 2, 2026

this is wild to give up for a RB like Montgomery

David Montgomery will be 29 years old in June and has 1,477 career carries

now will play behind the Texans OL who ranked

#32 in run block win rate 2025
#31 in run block win rate 2024

great return for the Lions https://t.co/8rk7ABGLZl

- Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 2, 2026

I get it for the Texans, especially with Joe Mixon being out. They needed a back that they could trust between the tackles.

But trading away your best linemen before trading for David Montgomery is very funny

- JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) March 2, 2026

Woody Marks did a fine job, but the Texans have desperately needed a RB that can pass protect and also wasn't a nothing as a rusher/receiver for several seasons now. Montgomery helps shore up what's been a glaring hole.

nice return for the Lions. I like Scruggs as depth for the... https://t.co/2efPdcxy14

- Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) March 2, 2026

That's a pretty gross trade for Houston.

Nice deal for Detroit to land that package for an aging back.

Texans must see some serious juice left with Monty... https://t.co/DUw1iZvwq0

- John Crumpler (@JohnCrumplerMD) March 2, 2026

Lastly, some chatter about the Denver Broncos being a team that might have been involved in trade talks with Detroit:

4th+7th + an OL for Montgomery is a lot.

Broncos had interest but that price tag too high.

- Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) March 2, 2026

the David Montgomery to Texans trade terms changing is a strong indication another team saw the initial trade and tried to top it

- Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) March 2, 2026

Confirmed. Someone tried to jump in on Houston after original trade was a 5th rounder + https://t.co/sf02kVFd5Y

- Troy_OTC (@TexansCap) March 2, 2026

Finally, Montgomery himself offered a powerful message and goodbye to Detroit over on Instagram:

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