The Detroit Lions have agreed to trade running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans in a deal that includes offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and draft compensation, according to multiple media reports on Monday. The Texans will send a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and a seventh-round pick in 2027 to Detroit as part of the transaction.
The trade is expected to become official when the NFL’s new league year begins on March 11.
Montgomery, 28, spent three seasons with Detroit after signing with the franchise in 2023 following four years with the Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the third round in 2019. Over his career, he has accumulated 6,115 rushing yards and 59 touchdowns in 105 games.
The Lions will receive center Juice Scruggs, a second-round pick by Houston in the 2023 NFL Draft, along with the two draft selections. Scruggs has appeared in 37 games with 20 starts since entering the league.
Montgomery’s role in Detroit diminished during the 2025 season as the Lions increasingly relied on Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Montgomery finished the year with 716 rushing yards and eight touchdowns across 17 games without a start, the lowest rushing total of his career.
Reports indicated the veteran running back had explored the possibility of leaving Detroit during the offseason as he sought a larger share of carries in the offense.
For Houston, the acquisition addresses a backfield that struggled in 2025. The Texans ranked 22nd in the NFL in rushing yards per game and relied heavily on rookie Woody Marks after injuries limited other options.
Montgomery is owed $6 million for the 2026 season and could compete for a leading role in Houston’s running game as the team reshapes its offensive roster ahead of the upcoming season.
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