The Detroit Lions’ backfield drama just took another twist, and it’s leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Is David Montgomery really ready to walk away from Detroit? That’s the question everyone’s asking after ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler dropped a bombshell report claiming the star running back ‘wants out.’ But here’s where it gets controversial: Montgomery himself took to Twitter to seemingly shut down the rumor, leaving us all wondering who’s telling the truth.
Fowler’s report, part of his NFL Combine buzz (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48045815/2026-nfl-combine-latest-buzz-news-rumors-free-agency-draft-qbs-trades-offseason), suggested Montgomery is prepared to leave Detroit, citing his reasonable contract (owed $6 million in 2026) and his age (28) as factors that could make him an attractive trade piece. Fowler even hinted that the Lions might settle for a Day 3 pick, possibly a fifth-rounder, in return. But Montgomery’s swift response raises more questions than answers.
This back-and-forth saga has been brewing all offseason, sparked by Lions general manager Brad Holmes’ comments at the end of the 2025 season. Holmes hinted that Montgomery might not have been happy with how the year unfolded, saying, ‘He deserves to be in a situation where his skillset can be utilized… if it can’t be here, then you’d just love to see where could work out best for him.’ Those words set the stage for speculation, but Montgomery later told NFL Network, ‘Having us both together and being as selfless as we are, it’s something special to be a part of.’
Fast forward to the NFL Combine this past week, and Holmes’ tone seemed to shift. ‘We love David. He’s a great player. We would love to have him… But a player has to want to be at a certain place as well,’ he said, leaving the door open for uncertainty. And this is the part most people miss: Montgomery’s role in Detroit has been shrinking. Last season, his carries dropped from 185 in 14 games (13.2 per game) to just 158 in 17 games (9.3), and his snaps per game fell from 27.9 to 24.0. While some blame the Lions’ struggles in 2025, it’s clear Montgomery feels underutilized.
With two years left on his contract—signed after a two-year extension in 2024—Montgomery is set to cost the Lions $8.4 million against the cap this year, with $4.9 million guaranteed. Trading him would free up just over $3.5 million in cap space, but is that enough to justify losing a player of his caliber?
The Lions insist they want to keep Montgomery, but they’ve also vowed to do what’s best for him. With the new league year starting on March 11, things could escalate quickly. But here’s the real question: Is Montgomery truly unhappy in Detroit, or is this just a case of miscommunication? And if he does leave, what does that mean for the Lions’ backfield moving forward? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
