DETROIT — The bruising thunder to Detroit’s lightning wants a new home. Veteran running back David Montgomery is officially looking for an exit strategy. The 28-year-old grinder watched his workload evaporate during the 2025 season as Jahmyr Gibbs took over the backfield, and his patience has finally run dry. According to insider Jeremy Fowler at the 2026 NFL Combine, Montgomery wants out of Motown. General Manager Brad Holmes reportedly slapped a reasonable price tag on the veteran: a Day 3 draft pick, likely a fifth-rounder. If the Seattle Seahawks fail to retain Kenneth Walker III in free agency, expect them to make an aggressive phone call.
Detroit faces a brutal mathematical reality. You cannot pay a premium salary to a situational backup. Montgomery carries a highly tradeable contract—he is owed exactly $6 million in 2026—but that number is far too rich for a front office desperately trying to clear cap space for their homegrown superstars. Brad Holmes recently confirmed on “The Rich Eisen Show” that preliminary contract talks with Gibbs’ agent have already started. The Lions plan to lock up the explosive 23-year-old with a massive, long-term extension.
Gibbs didn’t just break out; he hijacked the offense. His terrifying speed and dual-threat ability made him the undisputed focal point for head coach Dan Campbell. Holmes built a powerhouse, but paying two running backs top-tier money breaks the roster-building rules. Detroit needs every available dollar to extend core players and retain key free agents before the new league year opens. You can almost feel the tension in the front office as they juggle the salary cap to keep a championship roster intact.
Head coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes both stated publicly they want Montgomery back in Honolulu Blue. They love his grit. They love his locker-room presence. But they also understand the brutal nature of the business. Montgomery is a fierce competitor who refuses to ride the bench. His personal journey is defined by a desperate hunger to be the engine of an offense, not a spare part.
We saw this competitive fire burn when he originally left Chicago. Frustrated by the Bears’ constant struggles, Montgomery made his priorities crystal clear upon arriving in Detroit:
“That’s all I was used to. And it got to a point where it sucked the fun out of the game for me because I’m a competitor. I like to compete. That’s what football’s about. It’s so refreshing to be in a place where that’s appreciated.”
— David Montgomery, reflecting on his drive to win and contribute
Sitting behind Gibbs just sucked the fun out of the game again. The veteran knows he has prime years left, and he wants the football in his hands.
If Detroit ships Montgomery to the Pacific Northwest, it triggers a massive domino effect. Seattle desperately needs a reliable, chain-moving back if Walker III walks. Pairing Montgomery’s downhill, punishing style with Seattle’s offensive scheme makes terrifying sense for the NFC West. A fifth-round pick is pocket change for a guaranteed red-zone battering ram.
For Detroit, trading Montgomery clears exactly what Holmes needs: cap space and a clean runway for Gibbs. The Lions will likely hunt for a cheap, physical rookie in the later rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft to fill the RB2 void. The clock is ticking. Free agency opens soon, and the Lions have to choose between forcing a disgruntled veteran to stay or cashing out for draft capital to fuel another deep playoff run.
