HOUSTON — David Montgomery is moving from one “culture of grit” to another, and he has his former coach to thank for the roadmap. After the Houston Texans finalized a trade with the Detroit Lions last week to acquire the veteran back, Montgomery revealed that the seeds for this move were planted long before the 2026 league year began. During his time in Detroit, the 28-year-old constantly heard Dan Campbell sing the praises of Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans.
The trade, which sent offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and a 2026 fourth-round pick to Detroit, provides Houston with the downhill runner they lacked during a shaky 2025 ground campaign. Montgomery arrives in the Space City after a season where he managed 716 yards and 8 touchdowns while splitting carries with Jahmyr Gibbs. Now, he joins a Texans offense led by C.J. Stroud that is looking to balance its high-flying air attack with a bruising interior presence.
You could feel the electricity in the room as Montgomery took the podium. Fans gathered outside NRG Stadium in a sea of Deep Steel Blue, sensing that this move might be the final piece for a team that has lived in the postseason for three straight years but struggled to find a consistent “north-south” identity on the grass.
The Campbell-Ryans Connection
While most trades feel like cold business transactions, Montgomery describes this transition as a natural progression. He recalled joint practices where the mutual respect between the two coaching staffs was palpable. The humid Houston air during those August sessions didn’t slow down the intensity; instead, it highlighted the similarities between Detroit’s “One Pride” mentality and Houston’s “SWARM” defense. Montgomery noted that Campbell’s admiration for Ryans wasn’t just small talk—it was a constant theme in the Lions’ facility.
The veteran runner fits the blue-collar mold that Ryans has spent the last three seasons building. After a 2025 season where the Texans averaged a measly 3.9 yards per attempt, Montgomery’s ability to break arm tackles and gain yards after contact is exactly what the doctor ordered. He doesn’t just run; he punishes defenders who meet him in the gap.
“When I was in Detroit, Coach Campbell would talk about Coach Ryans all the time. When we had joint practices or he was talking about another coach, he always would talk about Coach Ryans. So now, to be under him and see, and be a part of it now, I’m super excited. I couldn’t think of a more ideal place to be.”
— David Montgomery, Houston Texans RB
Playoff Implications: The Missing Piece?
This move signals a massive shift in Houston’s offensive strategy for the 2026 season. By shipping out Juice Scruggs—a former second-round pick—the Texans are betting that a reliable veteran back is more valuable than O-line depth right now. General Manager Nick Caserio clearly saw the 2025 rushing stats as a red flag. The Texans finished in the bottom five for rushing touchdowns, a stark contrast to the 33 scores Montgomery has punched in since 2023.
With Woody Marks emerging as a change-of-pace threat, Montgomery serves as the hammer. In a division featuring the physical defenses of the Colts and Jaguars, having a back who can salt away games in the fourth quarter is a requirement, not a luxury. Houston isn’t just trying to win the AFC South again; they are building a roster that can withstand the physical toll of a deep January run.
