Just a day after reacting negatively to a report that he wanted out with the Detroit Lions, running back David Montgomery has a new team.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday morning the Lions agreed to ship Montgomery to the Houston Texans.
Minutes later, NFL Network reported the Texans sent three items to Detroit for the veteran running back.
“Compensation update: The Texans are sending OL Juice Scruggs, a 4th-rounder and a 7th-rounder to Detroit for David Montgomery,” wrote Pelissero on X.
Montgomery has two years remaining on his contract. He spent three seasons with the Lions, sharing the backfield with first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs during that time.
Over that stint, though, Montgomery’s playing time slowly diminished. He set a new career low in carries during each of the past two seasons.
In 2025, Montgomery ran for 716 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 4.5 yards per carry. He posted those totals despite not starting a game for the first time in his career.
Montgomery will turn 29 years old in June.
Lions Trade Compensation for RB David Montgomery
There was initially some confusion about what the Lions were receiving in return for Montgomery.
When Schefter broke the news on X, he wrote the Texans were sending a fifth-round pick to Detroit. The final trade compensation, though, appeared to be considerably more.
However, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport called the package a “fifth-round value.”
That actually confused social media users more than it helped.
“How does a 4th, 7th, and a player equate to a 5th round value?” Arrowhead Live asked.
“On what planet does a 3 for 1 trade that includes a 4th rounder = 5th round value,” wrote Tom Downey.
Schefter offered some potential clarification.
“The 7th-round pick going to the Lions in the David Montgomery deal is in 2027,” wrote Schefter.
In reaction to that update, one social media user commended Houston for the trade agreement.
“A fourth, a seventh in 2027 and Juice Scruggs for David Montgomery,” wrote SMV. “Houston spread the cost out far enough that the 2026 draft is barely touched, and Detroit has to wait two years to even use one of those picks.
“Caserio structured this deal as cleverly as he made it.”
Yet, that still doesn’t explain how the package the Texans sent Detroit for Montgomery is “fifth-round value.” There is literally a fourth-rounder in this year’s draft included in the deal.
The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy saw the trade as good value from the Lions perspective.
“That’s a better return than I would’ve guessed for Montgomery, honestly,” wrote Pouncy.
Lions Get Former 2nd Round Lineman Juice Scruggs From Texans
Gaining draft capital is always a good thing. But getting an established player, especially one still relatively young and cheap, in a trade can be just as rewarding.
The Lions received both for Montgomery, which makes the trade compensation particularly intriguing.
Scruggs started 13 games for the Texans in 2024. He lost his starting job this past season, but Pelissero hyped Scruggs as a great fit for the Lions.
“Dan Campbell wants the Lions to get back to playing their brand of football, and that starts with reestablishing a dominant O-line,” wrote Pelissero.
“From the NFL.com pre-draft scouting report on Juice Scruggs: ‘He plays like a block of granite …’
“That fits.”
The Texans drafted Scruggs at No. 62 overall in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He has started 20 NFL games.
Pouncy told one social media user Scruggs won’t necessarily start, but he will provide key interior line depth.
Lions Social Media Reacts to Detroit’s Trade Haul for David Montgomery