The Houston Texans have secured veteran running back David Montgomery in a trade with the Detroit Lions in exchange for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, along with a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and a seventh-rounder in 2027 to Detroit. Montgomery is entering the first year of a two-year, $18.25 million extension signed in 2024 and is due $5.49 million this season.
The move is the second trade completed by the Texans on Monday, following an agreement to deal tackle Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns for a 2026 fifth-round pick. The transactions can become official when the new league year opens March 11.
Montgomery, 28, arrives in Houston after three seasons in Detroit and four with the Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the third round in 2019. He thrived early in Detroit, topping 1,000 rushing yards and posting a career-best 13 touchdowns in 2023 while sharing carries with rookie standout Jahmyr Gibbs. The duo became known as the “Sonic and Knuckles” tandem and made history last season by scoring touchdowns in the same game 15 times — an NFL record for teammates.
However, Montgomery’s role diminished in 2025 as Gibbs emerged as the focal point of the backfield. Despite appearing in all 17 games, Montgomery logged career lows in carries (158) and total touches (182), averaging just 9.3 rushes per contest and seeing his snap share decline late in the year.
Over his career, Montgomery has rushed for 6,115 yards and 59 touchdowns, placing him among just five players since 2019 to surpass 6,000 rushing yards and 50 scores on the ground — a group that includes Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Jonathan Taylor and Christian McCaffrey.
For Detroit, the deal supports a renewed emphasis on rebuilding the offensive line after the unit struggled in 2025, finishing near the bottom of the league in both run- and pass-block metrics. Scruggs, a 2023 second-round pick, started 13 games in 2024 and appeared in all 17 last season. The 26-year-old has made 20 starts in three years and is set to become a free agent after the upcoming season.
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