The Detroit Lions are now officially in offseason mode, having failed to make the NFL postseason for what would have been a third straight season. Additionally, the rest of the NFL is now in offseason mode after the historic victory by the Seattle Seahawks over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Facing the realities of the NFL salary cap, Lions general manager Brad Holmes has a laundry list of moves ahead that could very well include the departure of running back David Montgomery, in order to make more room for additional contract extensions.
However, one of Montgomery’s teammates made it clear that he would love for him to stick around.
“Of course I want David back,” Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs explained at the Pro Bowl Games last week. “The whole team would want David back, but it’s ultimately up to him. He’s going to do what’s best for him and his family and whatever he decides to do I’m going to support 100%. But of course we want him back, though.”
____________________________________________________________
The Detroit Lions Are Expected To Receive Major Interest In David Montgomery
A pair of anonymous NFL executives explained that Montgomery is expected to fetch significant trade interest.
“With his experience and ability to break tackles, several teams could be interested in trading for his services. Detroit will learn much more about Montgomery’s trade value in the next couple of weeks,” one exec said.
“This is now Jahmyr Gibbs’ team, and that offense is not going to limit his carries. I expect Brad Holmes to have many conversations in Indianapolis about trading Montgomery.”
If the Lions were to trade Montgomery before June 1, they’d incur a minuscule total of $4.9 million of dead money, but would also get $3.5 million in salary cap savings. However, if they moved him after June 1, they’d get $6 million worth of cap savings ($2.4 million in dead money).
Recently, Lions GM Brad Holmes said that it’s quite possible that his skill set could better be utilized in a different market.
“Those are conversations that we’re going to have to have because I’ve got a lot of respect for that player,” Holmes said.
“He deserves to be in a situation where his skillset can be utilized, and so, yeah, would love for it to be here, but if it can’t be here then you’d just love to see where could work out best for him.”
Montgomery’s cap hit for next season is $8,370,833, followed by a $10,245,833 cap hit in 2027.
David Montgomery Experienced Career-Lows In Multiple Categories In 2025
While Gibbs made it clear that he would love his teammate to return in 2026, Montgomery experienced several career lows in the recently completed 2025 NFL season.
His 158 career rushing attempts and 716 rushing yards were both the lowest of his NFL career, and 2025 also marked the first time in his career in which he averaged under 10 carries per game.
Montgomery was originally a third round (73rd overall) pick of the Chicago Bears in 2019, but eventually signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the Lions in 2023.
Jahmyr Gibbs Doesn’t Hold Back When Asked About David Montgomery’s Future With Lions