The Houston Texans have acquired running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions in a trade that involves offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and two draft picks. According to sources cited by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Lions will receive a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick in exchange for Montgomery.
Montgomery joins Houston after rushing for 2,506 yards and scoring 33 touchdowns over three seasons with the Lions. Before Detroit, he spent four seasons with the Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the third round in 2019. The Texans are addressing the shortcomings of their ground attack following a disappointing 2025 season.
Houston’s rushing offense ranked 22nd in yards per game last year, averaging just 108 yards. Rookie Woody Marks led the team with 703 rushing yards, while Nick Chubb, a pending free agent, contributed despite limited involvement. Adding Montgomery provides the Texans with an experienced and proven No. 1 back heading into the 2026 campaign.
David Montgomery’s role diminished considerably during the 2025 season, when he averaged only 9.3 rushes and 10.7 touches per game. Despite playing in all 17 games, he saw his snaps decrease from 41% to 33% in the latter half of the season. This reduced usage followed the ascendancy of three-time Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs as Detroit’s primary back.
Montgomery openly acknowledged his mixed emotions about moving on, stating on Instagram, “everything I do next carries a piece of Detroit with it. The work ethic. The edge. The heart.” Meanwhile, Gibbs posted a symbolic broken heart emoji referencing their former backfield partnership, affectionately nicknamed Sonic (Gibbs) and Knuckles (Montgomery).
This trade may also clarify the Texans’ plans for Joe Mixon, acquired two years ago and sidelined last season due to a foot injury. Reports suggest Houston is likely to release Mixon, thus opening the door for Montgomery to establish himself as the feature back.
Financially, Montgomery is set to earn $5.49 million this season, the first year of a two-year, $18.25 million extension he signed with the Lions late in 2024. He will turn 29 in June, bringing a mix of veteran experience and a strong work ethic to Houston’s roster.
The trade sees the Texans giving up Juice Scruggs, who joins the Lions as part of Detroit’s efforts to strengthen their offensive line. The Lions struggled last season with a 20th-ranked run block win rate (70.7%) and a 30th-ranked pass block win rate (55.2%), and the addition of Scruggs is a step toward bolstering their interior line.
Additionally, on the same day, the Texans traded offensive lineman Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round pick. The Lions also released veteran offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, saving $5.6 million in salary cap space. Glasgow had started 14 games out of 15 in 2025.
The acquisition of Montgomery signals the Texans’ commitment to improving their running game. It reinforces their backfield with a productive, durable player capable of carrying a heavy workload. This move addresses a key offensive weakness and sets the stage for a more balanced attack in 2026.
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