The deal centers on a fifth-round value for Montgomery, but details reveal a more complex package: Detroit will receive a 2026 fourth-round pick, a 2026 seventh-round pick, and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs in return. The trade aligns with the official start of the new league year, which begins on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Montgomery formed a dynamic two-back group with Jahmyr Gibbs, but he ceded a larger share of carries to the 2023 No. 12 overall pick in Detroit’s backfield. In the previous season, Montgomery logged 158 rushing attempts for 716 yards and eight touchdowns.
In advance of the trade, Detroit was reportedly weighing a release of veteran running back Joe Mixon. A post-trade decision on Mixon’s status could influence the Lions’ cap strategy, as a pre-June 1 release would save $8 million in 2026 cap space but carry a $2 million dead cap hit, while a post-June 1 release would similarly save cap space without affecting the 2027 dead cap.
The trade shifts Montgomery to an AFC team and leaves Detroit to recalibrate its backfield plans alongside Gibbs. Montgomery’s departure closes a notable chapter for the Lions, who now must navigate how to optimize their rushing attack with their revamped depth chart.
The move also underscores ongoing roster transitions for both teams as they prepare for the new league year, with the Lions seeking long-term flexibility and the Texans hoping to leverage Montgomery’s experience in a growing offense. Ongoing coverage will assess how the backfield roles settle in Houston and how Detroit reshapes its approach in the post-Montgomery era.
