One major piece of news making the rounds in the NFL is the decision of the Detroit Lions to trade running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans.
According to reports, the Texans will acquire the running back in a trade with the Detroit Lions in exchange for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and two draft picks.
The Lions will also receive a 2026 fourth-round draft pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
This news came as a rude shock to many NFL fans, as Montgomery had formed a formidable partnership with his Lions teammate, particularly Jahmyr Gibbs. The duo was given the nickname “Sonic and Knuckles” — Gibbs (Sonic) for his speed, and Montgomery (Knuckles) for his strength. This partnership helped the Lions contend in the NFC.
Since joining the Lions in 2023, Montgomery has recorded 2,506 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns.
In his first two seasons with the Lions, Montgomery averaged 14.4 rushes per game and 16.3 touches before averaging 9.3 rushes and 10.7 touches last season.
According to ESPN, Montgomery played 41% of the offensive snaps, but that number dropped to 33% in Weeks 11–18. He also didn’t have more than 10 carries in a game in any of the Lions’ final eight games.
In a post via Instagram, Montgomery shared an emotional message with Detroit fans:
“It’s hard to find the right words for a goodbye like this.
Detroit has never just been a location to me — it’s been a community. And you all have been more than supporters or a team. You’ve been steady hands, loud cheers, honest feedback, and quiet strength when I needed it most.
You believed in me when things were uncertain.
You stood beside me through challenges.
You showed up — consistently, fiercely, unapologetically.
There is something special about the people here — the resilience, the loyalty, the way you don’t just support someone — you ride with them. I have felt that from each of you, and I will never take that lightly.
This isn’t goodbye because something ended. It’s goodbye because something grew. And growth sometimes calls us forward.
Please know this:
Everything I do next carries a piece of Detroit with it.
The work ethic. The edge. The heart.
Thank you for trusting me.
Thank you for pushing me.
Thank you for walking this chapter with me.
I’m beyond grateful — and I’ll always be proud to say I was shaped by this city and by you.”
With appreciation and respect,
Dmoe
He concluded.
