Lions Trade David Montgomery to Texans for Draft Picks and Offensive Lineman
The Detroit Lions traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans in exchange for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, a fourth-round pick, and a seventh-round pick.
David Montgomery is headed to Houston. The Detroit Lions are trading the running back to the Houston Texans, with the deal sending offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, a fourth-round pick, and a seventh-round pick back to Detroit, NFL Media reported Monday.
The trade materializes just a day after Montgomery appeared to push back against reporting that he wanted out. Detroit had been shopping the running back around the league, seeking an early Day 3 pick in return, according to ESPN.
The Lions got what they wanted. The Texans, meanwhile, are addressing a critical need in their backfield after ranking 22nd in rushing last season while Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon missed the entire year with injury.
Montgomery's Declining Production
Montgomery's 2025 campaign was his worst yet statistically. He rushed for 716 yards on 4.5 yards per carry—respectable efficiency—and scored eight rushing touchdowns while adding 192 receiving yards.
His first two seasons in Detroit told a different story: 1,790 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns in 28 games, plus 458 receiving yards.
Gibbs Changes the Equation
The emergence of Jahmyr Gibbs as a legitimate three-down back made Montgomery expendable. Gibbs finished in the top 10 in all-purpose yards again this season and is due for a contract extension this offseason—a deal that could make him one of football's highest-paid running backs.
Texans Overhauling Offense
The Montgomery trade followed Houston's move to deal starting right tackle Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round pick. The Texans are clearly dismantling and rebuilding their offensive unit after another playoff disappointment, having relied heavily on their defense to carry the team.
Neither trade can be officially completed until the new league year begins on March 11.
