The Houston Texans are trading for a potential starting running back ahead of 2026 NFL free agency.
The Texans are acquiring running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. The Lions will acquire offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, a fourth-round pick and a seventh-round pick in exchange for the 28-year-old’s services.
The trade comes just a day after Montgomery took to social media to address trade rumors surrounding him.
It also comes less than a week after Lions general manager Brad Holmes noted at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine conversations about Montgomery’s future with the team were ‘fluid.’
‘We’d love to have him. Kind of want to put last year in the rearview and just move forward,’ Holmes said at a Feb. 24 media availability. ‘But obviously, a player has to want to be at a certain place as well. So those conversations are still fluid and we’ll just kind of see how it goes.’
Montgomery has spent the last three seasons with the Lions after beginning his career with the Chicago Bears. In Detroit, has worked in combination with Jahmyr Gibbs – serving as the bruising back in the ‘Sonic and Knuckles’ backfield – but has slowly seen his carry share dip as Gibbs’ star has risen.
Montgomery handled a career-low 158 rushing attempts last season and failed to make a start while playing second-fiddle to Gibbs. The Iowa State product was still effective despite his decreased workload, generating 716 rushing yards, eight touchdowns and a more-than-respectable 4.5 yards per carry.
Montgomery will immediately top the Texans’ running back depth chart. He will work in tandem with 2025 fourth-round pick Woody Marks – who generated 911 scrimmage yards a rookie but averaged just but his 3.6 yards per carry average – while Houston is expected to move on from Joe Mixon after the veteran missed the entire 2025 NFL season due to a foot injury.
Meanwhile, Scruggs became the second offensive lineman the Texans traded away on March 2. The team also agreed to send versatile veteran Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns, per multiple reports.
Here’s what to know about the Montgomery trade:
David Montgomery trade details
Texans get:
RB David Montgomery
Lions get:
OL Juice Scruggs
Fourth-round pick
Seventh-round pick
The Lions will receiver multiple Day 3 draft picks and Scruggs – a second-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft – in exchange for Montgomery.
Scruggs, 26, appeared in 37 games and made 20 starts across his three seasons with the Texans. The 6-3, 310-pound interior blocker played all three interior offensive line positions with Houston, but primarily played left guard and center.
David Montgomery contract
Montgomery signed a two-year extension with the Lions in 2024, tying him to the team through the 2027 NFL season. Below is a look at the terms of that agreement, per Spotrac.com.
Term: 2 years
Total value: $18.25 million
Average annual value (AAV): $9.125 million
Guaranteed money: $10.49 million
Montgomery’s AAV ranks 12th-highest among running backs while the total value of his deal ranks 19th at the position.
While Montgomery’s deal is worth $18.25 million, the Texans will only owe him a maximum of $15 million in cash over the next two seasons. The remaining $3.25 million was already given to him up front by the Lions as part of his signing bonus.
(This story will be updated as more information becomes available.)
