Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown expressed disappointment following the trade of running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans. The deal, finalized on March 5, 2026, sent Montgomery to Houston in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a future seventh-round selection, and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs.
St. Brown shared his feelings on the “St. Brown Podcast,” co-hosted with his brother, Equanimeous St. Brown. “I’m sick. Selfishly, I’m sick because I love D-Mo,” he said, highlighting the close relationship he shared with the now-former Lions running back. “One of my favorite teammates, no matter what the situation was.”
The trade comes as Montgomery sought a larger role in an offense. St. Brown acknowledged Montgomery’s desire for more carries, stating, “We knew that he wanted more carries and wanted to play more. He never made it about himself. He was always all about the team, which I know is hard sometimes, especially in his position.” Montgomery’s playing time had decreased over the past three seasons, going from 219 carries to 185 and then 158, as Jahmyr Gibbs emerged as the lead back in Detroit.
Montgomery’s Value and the Lions’ Running Back Situation
St. Brown emphatically stated his belief in Montgomery’s ability, saying, “He’s an RB1 on 31 other teams.” He further explained the challenges of carrying two high-quality running backs, comparing the situation to that of quarterbacks. “It’s kind of like a quarterback situation. Although running backs do rotate, only one running back plays. Whereas receiver, you can have two or three on the field.”
The Lions’ commitment to Jahmyr Gibbs is clear. Gibbs led the team with 1,839 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns in the 2025 season, earning him multiple Pro Bowl selections. He is currently in discussions for a contract extension with the team. The move to trade Montgomery allows Gibbs to continue to flourish as the primary ball carrier in Detroit.
Despite his disappointment, St. Brown expressed optimism for Montgomery’s future with the Texans. “I’m also really excited for D-Mo. I know how much he wanted a bigger role in an offense, and I think he’s going to get that in Houston,” he said. He praised the Texans’ overall roster, noting their strong defense, receiving corps, and quarterback situation. “They have a great defense. They have the receivers. They have a quarterback. They have a good team. He’s going to a good team where he can be the primary running back, and I think he’s going to do really well.”
The trade of Montgomery marks a shift in the Lions’ backfield, solidifying Gibbs’ position as the lead back. Whereas St. Brown clearly valued Montgomery’s contributions both on and off the field, he recognizes the opportunity for Montgomery to thrive in a new environment where he can take on a more prominent role. For the Lions, the acquisition of a fourth-round pick, a future seventh-round pick, and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs provides added value as they continue to build their roster.
The NFL league year officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, when the Montgomery trade will become official. Fans will be watching closely to see how both Montgomery and Gibbs perform in their new situations throughout the 2026 season.
Next up for the Detroit Lions is the start of their offseason training program, scheduled to begin on April 15, 2026, at the team’s Allen Park facility. This will be the first opportunity to see how the team integrates Scruggs into the offensive line and prepares for the upcoming season.
