The Houston Texans have acquired running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions in a trade that sends offensive lineman Juice Scruggs to Detroit along with a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick. The move addresses Houston’s offseason priority of upgrading its running game after a disappointing 2025 season.
Montgomery spent the past three seasons in Detroit as part of a productive backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, but his role diminished last season as Gibbs emerged as the clear lead back. Montgomery logged just 158 rushing attempts in 2025, the fewest of his career, after recording 185 carries in 2024 and 219 in 2023. Despite the reduced workload, he finished his Lions tenure with 2,506 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns over three seasons.
Houston had been searching for more consistency on the ground after ranking 22nd in the NFL in rushing yards per game at 108. The Texans relied heavily on rookie Woody Marks and veteran Nick Chubb, who is set to become a free agent. Marks led the team with 703 rushing yards, but the offense lacked a dependable lead back. Montgomery is expected to step into that role entering the 2026 season, while also providing clarity on the future of Joe Mixon, who missed all of 2025 with a foot injury and is widely expected to be released.
Originally a third-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 2019 out of Iowa State, Montgomery has recorded two 1,000-yard rushing seasons in his career and brings a physical, downhill style to Houston’s backfield. He will turn 29 in June and is set to earn $5.49 million this season, the first year of a two-year, $18.25 million extension he signed with Detroit in October 2024.
For the Lions, the trade reflects a shift in priorities after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Detroit is focusing on improving its offensive line, particularly on the interior, after ranking 20th in run block win rate and 30th in pass block win rate last season. Acquiring Scruggs and additional draft capital gives the Lions flexibility as they look to retool the roster, while Houston adds a proven veteran back to stabilize its offense heading into 2026.
