The vibe in Detroit is... complicated. Just a year ago, the Detroit Lions running back room was the envy of the league. You had "Sonic and Knuckles"—Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery—tearing through defenses like wet paper. It was a perfect harmony of lightning-fast acceleration and "run through a face mask" power.
But 2025 changed things. Honestly, the 9-8 finish felt like a cold shower for a fanbase that expected a Super Bowl run. Now, as we sit in January 2026, the backfield that defined the "Grit" era is at a massive crossroads. Brad Holmes is openly talking about trades, the offensive coordinator spot is a revolving door, and the statistical gap between the two stars has become a canyon.
The Jahmyr Gibbs Takeover is Complete
Let's be real: Jahmyr Gibbs isn't just a "piece" of the offense anymore. He is the offense. In 2025, Gibbs officially snatched the RB1 mantle and didn't look back. He finished the season with 1,223 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 243 carries.
But it’s the receiving stats that should scare the rest of the NFC North.
Gibbs hauled in 77 receptions for 616 yards. That’s elite. We’re talking about a guy who basically functions as a high-end slot receiver and a home-run-threat tailback at the same time. He was PFF’s second-highest-graded receiving back for a reason. When he’s on the field, defenses have to decide if they want to get beat by a wheel route or a 70-yard burst through the A-gap. Usually, they just get beat by both.
The Numbers That Actually Matter
- Total Yards: 1,839 from scrimmage.
- Big Play Threat: 27 explosive runs (10+ yards).
- Efficiency: 5.0 yards per carry, even with every defensive coordinator in the league circling his number in red ink.
What Happened to David Montgomery?
It’s kinda sad to see how quickly the narrative shifted on David Montgomery. A year ago, he was the heart of the team. In 2024, he set a franchise record by scoring a rushing touchdown in eight straight games. He was the guy you gave the ball to when you needed two yards and someone’s soul.
🔗 Read more: Lawrence County High School Football: Why Friday Nights in Louisa Still Hit Different
But the 2025 season was a struggle. Montgomery saw his carries drop to a career-low 158. He still managed 716 yards and 8 touchdowns, which isn't "bad" by NFL standards, but his role has clearly shriveled. He didn't start a single game this past season. Gibbs played 713 snaps; Montgomery played 395.
The drop-off wasn't just about his age (he’s 28 now, which is "old" in RB years). The Lions' offensive line, usually a fortress, dealt with injuries and a lack of identity after Ben Johnson left for Chicago. Without that elite push, Montgomery’s "plodding" style—which relies on vision and contact balance—took a hit. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry, which is actually decent, but he lacked the game-breaking juice that this specific Detroit roster now craves.
The Elephant in the Room: The Trade Conversations
On January 8, 2026, Lions GM Brad Holmes dropped a bit of a bombshell. He mentioned the team would have "conversations" about trading Montgomery this offseason.
Why? It’s basically math.
Montgomery is due a $5.49 million base salary in 2026. For a backup running back, that’s a luxury a team with defensive holes might not want to afford. If the Lions trade him, an acquiring team only takes a $6 million cap hit. Detroit would be left with some dead money, but they’d clear enough space to maybe go after a high-end cornerback or interior defensive lineman.
💡 You might also like: LA Rams Home Game Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
It's a tough pill for fans. Montgomery is a leader. But in a league where the Detroit Lions running back strategy is moving toward speed and versatility, Monty feels like a relic of a 2023 vision that doesn't quite fit the 2026 reality.
The Post-Ben Johnson Identity Crisis
You can't talk about the backfield without talking about the mess at Offensive Coordinator. John Morton was fired after just one season. He tried to replicate Ben Johnson’s magic but it felt like a cover band playing the hits—all the notes were there, but the soul was missing.
The ground game lost its identity. One week they’d feed Gibbs 25 times; the next, they’d try to force Montgomery into a role he didn't have the rhythm for. It was disjointed.
Now, Dan Campbell is looking for a new architect. Names like Zac Robinson and Mike McDaniel (who recently left Miami) are floating around. If they hire someone like Robinson, expect the Lions to lean even harder into the "wide zone" schemes that favor Gibbs’ lateral agility. If that happens, Montgomery is almost certainly gone.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Backfield
The biggest misconception is that the Lions "need" a power back like Montgomery to win.
📖 Related: Kurt Warner Height: What Most People Get Wrong About the QB Legend
Look at the 2025 stats again. Even in a "down" year for the rushing identity, Detroit still finished 5th in total offense. The passing game with Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and a surging Jameson Williams (1,117 yards!) is so dangerous that the running back's job has changed.
The modern Detroit Lions running back doesn't need to be a 230-pound bruiser. They need to be a "space creator." They need to force linebackers to widen out, opening the middle for Sam LaPorta. Gibbs does that perfectly. Montgomery, as great as he is at breaking tackles, doesn't put that same horizontal stress on a defense.
Who is Sione Vaki?
Keep an eye on Sione Vaki. The youngster didn't get much run in 2025, but the coaching staff loves his versatility. If Montgomery is traded, Vaki likely moves into that RB2/Special Teams hybrid role. He’s cheaper, younger, and fits the "multiple" philosophy Campbell preaches.
Actionable Steps for the Lions Offseason
The Lions aren't in a rebuild—they're in a refinement phase. To get back to the top of the NFC, the backfield needs to be optimized, not just "populated" with talent.
- Commit to the Trade: If a mid-round pick is on the table for Montgomery, take it. Use the $5M+ in savings to shore up the secondary. It hurts the "culture," but it helps the win column.
- Hire a Scheme-Specific OC: Don't just hire a "big name." Hire someone who knows how to use a dual-threat back like Gibbs as a primary engine.
- Draft a "Thunder" Replacement: If Monty leaves, Detroit needs a cheap, rookie-contract bruiser for short-yardage situations. A 4th or 5th-round pick can provide 80% of Montgomery's production at 10% of the cost.
- Protect the Investment: Jahmyr Gibbs is the franchise. His usage rate spiked in 2025, and while he handled it, the Lions need to ensure they aren't burning him out before his second contract.
The 2026 season will be defined by whether Detroit can rediscover their "Grit" without relying on the old-school ground-and-pound. The era of the thunder-and-lightning duo is likely over, making way for the Jahmyr Gibbs show. It’s faster, it’s flashier, and if they get the right coach, it might just be the thing that finally gets them a ring.