The Detroit Lions' run game was nowhere to be found again during Christmas Day's season-crushing loss against the Minnesota Vikings. After boasting one of the NFL's best ground attacks throughout the first half of the 2025 season, the Lions' backfield has become a weakness more often than not since the bye week, and that trend bled into Week 17 as they only tallied 68 yards on 30 carries.
Although head coach Dan Campbell's play-calling deserves some blame for the lackluster run production, so does veteran running back David Montgomery. Yes, Jahmyr Gibbs hasn't been great either, but Montgomery's recent production has been even more concerning, as he finished Thursday's loss with only 25 rushing yards on 10 carries. That comes just four days after posting 14 yards on four carries against the Steelers, meaning he's now only hit the 50-yard mark once in his last seven games after doing so four times in the first nine.
Between his shrinking opportunities and underwhelming production, Montgomery just might have the Lions reconsidering his future in the Motor City this offseason.
David Montgomery's Future with Lions Is Uncertain at Best
It isn't a secret that Montgomery's role with the Lions was much bigger when he joined the franchise ahead of the 2023 season. He's since seen his role and opportunities shrink as Gibbs continues to cement himself as the RB1 in Detroit, proven by the Iowa State product's downward-trending numbers in the last three seasons:
Season | Carries Per Game | Rushing Yards Per Game |
|---|---|---|
2025 | ||
2024 | 13.2 | 55.4 |
2023 | 15.6 | 72.5 |
It's clear that Montgomery is getting phased out of the Lions' offensive plans, making it hard to imagine why both sides would want to run things back next year. Detroit will also likely be looking to revamp the offensive line this offseason, and the aging RB might not be eager to run behind a unit that allows him to get beaten up whenever he does see his few opportunities to carry the ball.
With only one year remaining on his contract, a divorce could be on the table this offseason. According to Spotrac, releasing or trading Montgomery with a post-June 1 designation would create $6 million in savings for the 2026 season, which would go a long way for a Lions team that is projected to have just over $13.8 million in cap space with 21 unrestricted free agents to address.
That's without mentioning the potential retooling that general manager Brad Holmes might want to do now that the Lions are officially eliminated from postseason contention.
All of this isn't to say that the Lions will move on from Montgomery; however, it's also obvious how a potential split would be mutually beneficial. For Montgomery, he'd get the chance to prove he can thrive in a bigger role elsewhere. Meanwhile, Detroit can focus on running with Gibbs as the franchise back while finding a complementary set of legs — either through free agency or the draft — who Campbell is interested in playing more often.
Montgomery has provided Lions fans with plenty of fond memories throughout the last three seasons, but all good things must eventually end. If a fresh start is what both sides need this offseason, that just might be the best path to travel down, even if it isn't the easiest.