HOUSTON — Houston needed a hammer. General Manager Nick Caserio didn’t wait around for the open market to find one. The Texans executed a massive David Montgomery trade on Monday, sending offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and two 2026 draft picks to the Detroit Lions to secure their new lead back.
The writing was on the wall for weeks. Walking through the Texans’ facility late last month, you could feel the quiet desperation surrounding the running back room. Joe Mixon went down with a brutal foot injury last season, forcing Houston to lean on rookie Woody Marks and an aging Nick Chubb. The ground game stalled. Now, they get a proven bruiser on a highly favorable contract.
Inside the 2026 Trade Details
Detroit didn’t let Montgomery go for cheap, but Houston protected their premium draft capital. Here is the exact breakdown of the Monday exchange:
- Texans Receive: RB David Montgomery
- Lions Receive: OL Juice Scruggs, 2026 fourth-round pick, 2026 seventh-round pick
Houston fixes a glaring hole without breaking the bank. Montgomery carries a base salary of just $5.5 million in 2026 and $7.5 million in 2027. He wanted out of Detroit after his workload shrank last fall. The Lions obliged, but they took a massive gamble in the process.
“I poured my blood and sweat into Detroit, but I belong on the field taking the heavy carries. Houston called. They want a bully in the backfield. I’m packing my bags right now.”
— David Montgomery, Houston Texans Running Back
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
This move dramatically shifts the balance of power in the AFC South. Houston now possesses a balanced attack to keep defenses honest. Montgomery excels at yards after contact, bringing immediate relief to the passing game.
For Detroit, the pressure falls squarely on Juice Scruggs. The Lions’ interior line regressed in 2025. When Frank Ragnow retired back in 2024, Graham Glasgow stepped up at center, but the production dipped significantly last season. Detroit expects Scruggs to anchor the middle of their trenches immediately. If he struggles, shipping away a premier back for a replacement-level lineman will haunt the Lions’ front office.