David Montgomery Split in NFL Free Agency Hinted at by Lions GM, Says RB 'Deserves' More

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery could be in line for a change of scenery during the 2026 offseason.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes was noncommittal regarding Montgomery's future with the team on Thursday.

"He deserves to be in a situation where his skillset can be utilized," Holmes said, per ESPN's Eric Woodyard.

Montgomery is still under contract with Detroit after signing a two-year extension worth $18.25 million with the team in Oct. 2024.

Still, the Lions could cut him with a post-June 1 designation and save $6 million in 2026 cap space as well as $9 million in 2027 (via Over the Cap). They'd also take on dead cap charges of $2.4 million and $1.2 million in each year, respectively.

Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have formed one of the NFL's most imposing running back duos in their shared tenure with Detroit, helping the team make two playoff appearances over the past three years.

Their workload shifted in 2025, though.

Montgomery received 182 touches while being on the field for 37 percent of Detroit's offensive snaps, with both representing career-low marks (via Pro Football Reference). Meanwhile, Gibbs recorded a career-high 320 touches while playing 67 percent of the Lions' offensive snaps.

With Montgomery being five years older than Gibbs, Detroit could choose to utilize the younger back in more of a full-time role moving forward.

It isn't difficult to imagine other teams having interest in Montgomery, though. He still rushed for 716 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.