David Montgomery trade rumors: 7 best fits, landing spots for Lions backup RB amidst disputed trade talks
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David Montgomery trade rumors: 7 best fits, landing spots for Lions backup RB amidst disputed trade talks originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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There are varying reports about whether Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery will be with the franchise next season. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Montgomery "wants out" and pointed out that he has a reasonable contract to move and that the believed trade expectation would be a fifth-round pick.
Montgomery responded by quoting the report on his X account, saying, "Damn, Dmo told you that?" He is currently the 1B to Jahmyr Gibbs' 1A, but in reality, he is the clear backup. Detroit's offensive game plan uses both running backs, and the soon-to-be 29-year-old running back likely needs to be on a team where he is part of a committee.
Here is more on the best fits and landing spots for the Lions' backup running back.
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David Montgomery's best trade fits
1. Buffalo Bills
The Bills would offer Montgomery a similar situation to what he has been used to in Detroit. The backup RB would slot in behind starting running back James Cook and would give Buffalo the chance to give Cook some more rest to try and protect their long-term investment in their starter.
Montgomery had 158 carries for 716 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025. Cook had the third-most carries in the league, which led to him leading the NFL in rushing yards, but that level of production may not be sustainable for his health. Plus, when Cook was off the field, Buffalo scrambled to find production, which Montgomery could provide.
MORE: Ranking the greatest Bills of all time
2. Arizona Cardinals
Arizona has many questions about its 2026 roster, the biggest being whether to retain the offense. Everyone is waiting to see what direction they go with under center, as Kyler Murray is a prime trade candidate.
The Cardinals also have questions in the backfield. James Conner suffered a season-ending foot and ankle injury in Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season. He will turn 31 years old ahead of the 2026 season, and Montgomery could be paired with Trey Benson if Arizona wanted to go in a different direction, despite Conner being under contract for one more year.
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are likely going to let backup running back Tyler Allgeier walk in free agency. If the price tag for Montgomery is a reasonable contract and Day 3 draft pick, Atlanta could do worse than bringing him in to back up Bijan Robinson. Similar to the Bills, the veteran back would backup one of the best running backs in the league, trying to allow him more time to rest to keep his legs fresher for the entirety of the season.
Last season, Robinson had 287 carries, while Allgeier had 143. Montgomery had 15 more carries than Allgeier did and would be an optimal replacement for the backup.
4. Washington Commanders
Jacory "Bill" Croskey-Merritt was the star of the preseason, and even though he was a seventh-round pick, many had high expectations for him. He ended up being good, but not great, which was fine for a lost 2025. To help him develop and to give the Commanders more depth at the position, Washington could make a move and trade for Montgomery.
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5. Houston Texans
The Joe Mixon situation in Houston is still baffling. He missed the entire 2025 season, and it was never made abundantly clear why, other than that it was an injury. Mixon will now turn 30, after a year off from playing ahead of the 2026 season. This does not historically bode well for him to return to productivity.
The Texans seemed to like what they saw from Woody Marks, and pairing the youngster with Montgomery could be a good match.
6. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are expected to make a move at running back because they have not been able to find a reliable runner despite the high-octane offense they try to run. Kansas City will be concerned about how soon star quarterback Patrick Mahomes can return after tearing his ACL toward the end of 2025.
The Chiefs are front-runners to draft Jeremiyah Love, but after the Combine, he may not be available once K.C. is on the clock, so they likely will have to address the position through a trade or free agency with a veteran running back. If Montgomery thinks he still has what it takes to be a starter, Kansas City would be a beneficial landing spot for him.
MORE: Ranking the greatest Chiefs of all time
7. Minnesota Vikings
Out with the old, in with the ... less old? Minnesota is expected to cut 31-year-old starting running back Aaron Jones. Even though Montgomery would be 29 years old by the start of next season, he could still offer a better option for the Vikings than Jones.
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Honorable Mention: Detroit Lions
In reality, there isn't much of a reason for Detroit to want to trade Montgomery. If the running back actually wants out, that's one thing. But, it has seemed like he had enjoyed being the Knuckles of the Sonic and Knuckles tandem alongside Gibbs. Barring the running back wanting a change of scenery, at the current stage of his career, he isn't in a bad spot in Detroit.
MORE:Why Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are called 'Sonic and Knuckles'