Lions Fans: Let’s Pump the Brakes on Gibbs Over Montgomery

Am I the only Lions fan annoyed at the constant social media jabs at Detroit for not starting Jahmyr Gibbs over David Montgomery?

It seems like most critics are only worried about their fantasy teams, as it’s hard to argue with the Lions’ 4-1 record and top-10 rushing attack (7th in the NFL with 141 rush yards per game).

I didn’t like the Lions taking Gibbs at No. 12 overall, but fans needing him to be an immediate starter to pay off the draft capital is short-sighted.

Would I love to see more of Gibbs? Who wouldn’t?

But anyone who thought Detroit wasn’t going to start Montgomery after giving him a 3-year, $18 million pact is INSANE!

Montgomery has been one of the most underrated and underappreciated Lions’ players this season.

“To me, that type of guy, he carries the load,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said of Montgomery to local media this week. “The other one, the change up, he’s going to get plenty of touches. That doesn’t mean those are carries, though.

“That could be in the pass game. That could be gadgets. But to me, you always want a guy who you know, if you need it, he can take on 20, 25, 30 carries. He’s been all of that and then some.”

Montgomery is currently 3rd in the NFL with six rushing touchdowns, 7th with 371 rushing yards and 22nd in yards per carry (4.1), ahead of running backs like Tony Pollard, Travis Etienne, Brian Robinson and Joe Mixon.

Of course, he doesn’t have the big-play ability or the receiving chops that Gibbs possesses, but that’s exactly why they have BOTH of them!

David Montgomery vs. Jahmyr Gibbs: Who Should Start?

The argument everyone is having over who should be the lead ball-carrier is the wrong one to have. The correct question isn’t ‘Which player is better,’ it’s ‘Which player best suits the Lions’ needs?’

Clearly, that’s Montgomery as the bell-cow back. He’s a proven player who has missed just five games over four-plus NFL seasons and has the physical ability to tote the football 30+ times a game.

Gibbs, on the other hand, recorded 20+ rushes just TWICE last season at Alabama, and we weren’t criticizing Nick Saban for that usage, were we?

If you don’t want to take my word for it, just listen to what Austin Ekeler has to say about it.

“When I watch Jahmyr Gibbs, I can tell he’s a rookie,” Ekeler said on his podcast, Ekeler’s Edge. “That doesn’t mean that he’s not doing well. He’s dynamic, he’s making plays, he’s hitting the right holes.

“There’s just certain things that I see when I watch David Montgomery run where I’m like, ‘Yeah, that guy’s been around for a while.'”

Gibbs has certainly been fun to watch, and everyone likes fun, but he’s already dealing with a hamstring injury. And who’s to say he doesn’t take on an expanded role in the playoffs to throw a new wrinkle at opponents?

Let’s enjoy a good thing while we have it.

Here’s to more Montgomery love!

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