English
EspañolWhy Lions traded David Montgomery to Texans for small return
Why Lions traded David Montgomery to Texans for small return originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Detroit Lions have split Knuckles from Sonic.
Their two-headed backfield is now just one. David Montgomery has been traded to the Houston Texans on Monday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The Texans are sending a fifth-round pick back to the Lions.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote about this over the weekend.
"The Lions' David Montgomery wants out, has a reasonable contract (owed $6 million in 2026) and is 28," Fowler wrote. "That has value. Word out of Indy is that Detroit would want a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder) in return."
He got the cost right, and Montgomery now goes to Houston.
MORE: Cowboys show how NFL salary cap is (mostly) fake
Why did the Lions trade David Montgomery to the Texans?
Montgomery's trade is mostly about empowering Gibbs.
The younger back already took over the RB workload in 2025 after it had been an even split previously.
Montgomery is 28 now, and running backs often fall off rather quickly.
This move gets the Lions value back for Montgomery before injury or decline hits him.
Montgomery still ran for eight touchdowns in 2025 despite the reduced workload.
He also averaged 4.5 yards per carry in the recent campaign, showing that when given the chance, Monty is still a quality player.
It'll just be with the Texans now, not the Lions.
More NFL news:
- Bryce Lance is trying to show his name can be good
- Fernando Mendoza wouldn't mind being pick 199
- This linebacker has insane NFL Combine measurements
- Lions' trade cost for David Montgomery has been revealed
- Jordyn Tyson shares desire to come to Cleveland to join his NBA brother
- Ravens have a $38 million last-gasp Lamar Jackson solution to contract problem
Yankees' win total predicted to drop for Blue Jays, Orioles, Red Sox reason
New York needs a more consistent summer.
Lions agree to trade David Montgomery to Texans
Running back David Montgomery publicly denied the report that he wanted out of Detroit.
Well, he's now headed elsewhere anyway.
According to multiple reports, the Lions have agreed to trade Montgomery to the Texans.
Via Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the Lions will receive a Houston fourth-round pick, offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, and a seventh-round pick in exchange for Montgomery.
Montgomery, 28, saw his role in Detroit’s offense reduced in 2025 as Jahmyr Gibbs continued to ascend at running back. He finished the season with 716 yards rushing with eight touchdowns, also catching 24 passes for 192 yards.
Lions General Manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell expressed a desire to keep Montgomery around at the scouting combine last week. But that plan has apparently changed with the Texans’ offer.
Woody Marks led the Texans last season with 703 yards rushing with Nick Chubb finishing second with 506 yards on the ground. Joe Mixon did not play after sitting out the season with an injury.
The Montgomery trade cannot become official until the start of the new league year on March 11.
Makai Lemon lists 3 NFL quarterbacks he would want to play with
In a pre-combine interview, USC's Makai Lemon was asked what three NFL quarterbacks he would love to catch passes from.
Here is my ranking of the three quarterbacks he listed, my favorite pick for a quarterback he would dominate with, and my actual prediction for which quarterback he will catch passes from:
1. Caleb Williams
In 2023, Caleb Williams and Makai Lemon were both at USC, but it was not the special connection it would be if the 2 were on the same team again in the NFL. Having that connection prior to teaming up does create an advantage and a better sense of trust. Caleb Williams is a big anticipation thrower, and if he trusts you, that ball is going to come out before you even finish the route. I think that with Lemon's ability to get open and what he can do after the catch, he would be a dangerous weapon with Caleb Williams. Everybody in Chicago would be mad if the Bears took another offensive player, but if Lemon ended up in Chicago, I think he would be their best receiver.
2. Jayden Daniels
Jayden Daniels has so far had a great connection with Terry McLaurin, a smaller but effective receiver. Lemon fits that bill, and he is cut with the same cloth. I think Lemon could be just like scary Terry with an even higher ceiling. The Commanders' offense is at its best with guys that can make things happen after the catch, and guys that can take the top off of a defense. Makai Lemon would be an 1000 yard reciver year in and year out with Jayden Daniels.
3. Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers would be even more fun if he wasn't currently 42 years old. Lemon has those traits of the former great Packers receivers. Rodgers is accurate as it gets from the quarterback position, and he puts his receivers in great position to succeed. I think had he been in his prime in Green Bay, Lemon would have lit it up with Aaron Rodgers.
My favorite pick - Matthew Stafford
The two best receiver seasons in NFL history have been achieved with Matthew Stafford at quarterback. Matthew Stafford, still at the back end of his career, has helped receivers put up career years. Even if it is for his first 2 seasons in his career, I think Makai Lemon would be the most productive with Matthew Stafford. Mix in the fact that Sean McVay would also be putting him in a great position to be successful. Yeh Makai Lemon would have his best shot at rookie of the year with the Rams.
My actual prediction - Lamar Jackson
The Ravens just hired offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, and he is cut from the same cloth as Ben Johnson. It would make sense that he wants to take the Ravens offense to new heights. Why not bring in a guy who is an Amon-Ra St. Brown clone? Makai Lemon and Lamar Jackson would be must see tv. Lamar has yet to have that super reliable and always open weapon at the receiver position. Zay Flowers is a great recover but he comes with some major flaws. I think Lemon would be just what the doctor ordered for Lamar Jackson, and both guys would dominate this upcoming season in Baltimore.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Makai Lemon names 3 preferred NFL QBs he would want to play with