The Houston Texans acquired running back David Montgomery in a trade with the Detroit Lions this offseason in hopes of revamping their running game.
Montgomery, admittedly caught off guard by the trade, has embraced his new situation, including his teammates, and has already impressed the coaching staff with his approach on the field and leadership in the locker room.
He did have a word of advice for his old squad, though, specifically regarding Jahmyr Gibbs.
Texans’ David Montgomery Stumps for Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs
GettyJahmyr Gibbs has David Montgomery firmly in his corner amid his contract dispute.
Montgomery and Gibbs formed the NFL’s most potent rushing duo over the past three seasons in Detroit. The new Texans backfield star has said he views his former teammate more like a little brother. Naturally, Montgomery took note of Gibbs’ hold-in during Lions training camp.
“Give my baby anything he want!” Montgomery captioned a post on his Instagram story on July 29 in reaction to speculation that Gibbs could hold out. “He earned that s***!
“On mamas.”
“Give my baby anything he want ! He earned that shit! On mamas”
Gibbs ranks seventh in the league in rushing yards over the last three seasons, per Stathead. Montgomery ranks 17th. No other duo, playing for the same team during that span, was more productive on the ground than Detroit’s “Sonic & Knuckles” in their time together.
Montgomery wished the Lions well after his trade to the Texans.
He also made it clear that he was not expecting the move and expressed his belief that he will be missed in Detroit, a sentiment Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown recently echoed.
DeMeco Ryans Gets Honest About David Montgomery
GettyDavid Montgomery has made a strong impression with the Texans.
The Texans appreciate the passion and intensity that Montgomery brings and that it shows up in his play on the field. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans expressed as much on Thursday.
“Going against him, seeing the success that he’s had, seeing the nature with which he runs the ball, he fits the brand of football that I want to play. And we know, it’s no secret that we needed to improve our running game. It’s not been good enough since I’ve been here. It hasn’t been good enough. So, to make improvements in the running game, you gotta get players who can run it,” Ryans told reporters on July 29.
“No matter where he’s been, he’s been successful running the football. And just to see the way he works every day; positive guy. Dialed in on the details. A great guy. We couldn’t have added a better guy for our running back room, for our offense. Just the way he is business-like with his approach.”
The Texans ranked 22nd in rushing yards gained during the 2025 season. But they were also 13th in rushing attempts, meaning Ryans and, really, offensive coordinator Nick Caley must be more cognizant of sticking with the ground attack, even if it is not yielding the desired returns.
They have the defense for it, ranking first overall and second in scoring.
Their offense must do a better job of maintaining possession when the defense fails to create takeaways. That will fall on Montgomery, Woody Marks, and the Texans’ revamped offensive line.
Texans’ David Montgomery Pushes for Former Lions Teammate Jahmyr Gibbs