The Detroit Lions front office was busy to start off the month of March. Brad Holmes sent an unhappy David Montgomery to the Houston Texans for a couple of draft picks and an offensive lineman. This ends the “Sonic and Knuckles” era in the Motor City, with teammate Jahmyr Gibbs.
It was a surprise move to the fans, on the verge of free agency. The runningback was discouraged with his current role. This raises the question: Who will they get to replace D-Mo? What does this mean for the Lions? And how does this affect the team moving forward?
Montgomery’s Time with Detroit
David Montgomery came to the Detroit Lions in 2023 after four seasons with division rival Chicago Bears. The running back had instant success with the team, posting more than a thousand yards in his first season. His ground-and-pound style mixed well as a change of pace back from the elusiveness of Jahmyr Gibbs.
The tandem of “Sonic and Knuckles” behind a great offensive line took the league by storm for his first two seasons. The duo was amongst the best in the NFL and arguably the best in Detroit’s history. It seemed like the trio of the two backs and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown were finding the end zone at will. In three seasons, the veteran found the goal line 33 times as a Lion.
Montgomery’s time was often split with his explosive teammate, until it wasn’t. Gibbs has proved he is one of the best running backs in the NFL. With his emergence, “Knuckles” found his playing time and touches diminishing. Like most athletes, having their role disappear, D-Mo seemed to want out of Detroit.
The Impact for Detroit
While Houston is getting a veteran player to add to their backfield, the Detroit Lions have another hole to fill. This one may not be as difficult as the rest. The Lions need help in the trenches on both sides of the ball and some healthy defensive backs. The move to get someone to back up Gibbs should be an easy task.
Gibbs is easily one of the best players in the league and a betting favorite to win next season’s Offensive Player of the Year. Detroit will receive a fourth and seventh-round pick and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs from Houston. Lions’ fans should be happy with the fourth-round pick alone.
Along with the draft capital, to try to fill some of the needs on the fifty-three-man roster. They also receive a young offensive lineman who should serve as a solid backup. The 26-year-old and former second-round pick has experience at guard and center. The Texans’ offensive line was horrendous, so Scruggs may not have much of an impact outside of being a depth piece, but maybe under a different regime, he can try to live up to his draft selection.
Final Thoughts
Look, I know Detroit fans are split on the decision to trade Montgomery, but I think it was the right move. Do you remember how many people were sad to see Jamaal Williams go? Especially after breaking the single-season rushing touchdown record for the Lions. He was a great locker room guy, but we replaced him with a better back, and now where is he?
An aging, nearly thirty-year-old running back should be pretty easy to replace. When you have one of the best players in the league, they are going to stay on the field when healthy. If Gibbs goes down, yeah, you want a nice replacement, but you can’t structure a team around that. Running backs are usually a dime a dozen in the NFL, and behind a great offensive line, the average player can look great. The O-line is still being constructed and is a bigger concern. Address that and get a decent number two in the backfield, and the offense will be just fine.
Thanks for the memories, D-Mo, good luck in Houston!
Point of Vision 