Lions reportedly trade RB David Montgomery to Texans
The Sonic and Knuckles era in Detroit is coming to an end.
The Lions are trading running back David Montgomery to the Texans in exchange for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, a fourth-round pick and a seventh-round pick, CBS Sports reported on Monday.
Montgomery had been the subject of trade speculation as his role began to diminish with the Lions. There was even a report, which Montgomery later denied, that he wanted out of Detroit.
Montgomery posted on social media Monday afternoon, saying, "It's hard to find the right words for a goodbye like this."
David Montgomery's full statement
"It's hard to find the right words for a goodbye like this."
"Detroit has never just been a location to me — it's been a community. And you all have been more than supporters or a team," he said in part." You've been steady hands, loud cheers, honest feedback, and quiet strength when I need it most. You believed in me when things were uncertain. You stood beside me through challenges. You showed up — consistently, fiercely, unapologetically.
"There is something special about the people here. The resilience. The loyalty. The way you don't just support someone — you ride with them. I have felt that from each of you, and I will never take that lightly.
"This isn't goodbye because something ended. It's goodbye because something grew. And growth sometimes calls us forward.
"Please know this: Everything I do next carries a piece of Detroit with it. The work ethic. The edge. The heart. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for pushing me. Thank you for walking this chapter with me.
"I'm beyond grateful — and I'll always be proud to say I was shaped by this city and by you."
In three seasons with the Lions, Montgomery scored 33 touchdowns and racked up 2,506 yards. After amassing 219 rushing attempts over 14 games in his first season in Detroit, Montgomery's touches declined each of the next two seasons due to the emergence of Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Montgomery had a career-low 158 rushing attempts over 17 games in 2025.
The above video originally aired on Jan. 8, 2026.
