It was a tough season for Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery.
Not only did his team fall well short expectations in 2025, but Montgomery saw a reduced role along the way, as the Lions decided to feature fellow running back Jahmyr Gibbs more.
Even though Montgomery played in three more games in 2025 than he did in 2024, he tallied 27 less carries and 12 fewer catches. It was Montgomery's least productive campaign of his career when it comes to rushing yards.
That has immediately put Montgomery's future with the team in doubt, and general manager Brad Holmes only added to that doubt on Thursday.
When holding his end-of-year press conference, Holmes admitted the team could look to move Montgomery this offseason, although he noted more conversations will be had on the topic moving forward.
"Those are conversations that we're going to have to have because got a lot of respect for that player," Holmes said, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. "He deserves to be in a situation where his skill set can be utilized. And so yeah, would love it for it to be here, but if it can't be here, then you would have to just see what you can work out the best for him."
Based on Holmes' comments, we would say it's more likely than not that Montgomery is moved this offseason.
With Montgomery being phased out of the offense, it makes sense for the Lions to move on from him rather than keeping his full salary on the books. They can find someone cheaper to spell Gibbs.
Montgomery remains under contract through 2027, so the Lions will look to trade him first if the two sides do decide to part ways.
Cutting or trading Montgomery before June 1 would incur a dead-cap hit of $4.8 million while saving $3.5 million against the cap in 2026, per Over The Cap.
A post-June 1 designation for a trade or cut would cost $2.3 million in dead money and save $6 million.
At a base salary of $5.4 million, and with no guaranteed money left on his deal in 2026 and beyond, it's conceivable the Lions can find a trade partner. We would expect Montgomery to fetch no better than a Day 3 pick.
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