David Montgomery Trade: Lions’ St. Brown Expresses Disappointment

The Detroit Lions’ trade of running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans has resonated throughout the team, particularly with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who publicly voiced his disappointment.

Montgomery’s Departure After Three Seasons

After three seasons in Detroit, David Montgomery’s tenure with the Lions has reach to an finish. The team traded the 28-year-old running back to the Houston Texans in a deal that saw the Lions acquire a 2026 fifth-round pick and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs .

St. Brown’s Reaction: “I’m Mad”

Despite Montgomery often playing second fiddle to Jahmyr Gibbs in the Lions’ offense last season, racking up 716 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, his departure has clearly affected St. Brown. The wide receiver revealed his frustration during a podcast with his brother, EQ, stating, “I’m mad. Selfishly speaking, I’m mad because I love D-Mo.”

Praise for Montgomery’s Team-First Attitude

St. Brown highlighted Montgomery’s selfless approach, particularly given his desire for a larger role. “He was one of my favorite teammates, no matter what the situation was. We knew that he wanted to play more and play more. He never made it his personal thing. He always focused on the team, which is sometimes tough, especially in his position,” St. Brown explained.

Belief in Montgomery’s Ability

St. Brown firmly believes Montgomery possesses the talent to be a lead back for any team. “He is a number 1 back on 31 other teams,” he asserted. He acknowledged the unique situation in Detroit, where the presence of Gibbs created a shared workload. “But it was just the case that we had two guys, two really good running backs, and only one could play. That was a shame.”

Montgomery’s Opportunity in Houston

While St. Brown regrets losing a teammate, he expressed optimism about Montgomery’s future. “I recognize how much he wanted a bigger role in an offense. And I suppose he’ll secure that in Houston,” he stated.

Montgomery’s Career and Contract

David Montgomery, nicknamed “Knuckles,” was born on June 7, 1997, and is currently 28 years old. He played college football at Iowa State before being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft. He signed with the Detroit Lions in 2023, forming a productive rushing tandem with Jahmyr Gibbs. Montgomery’s contract, which runs through 2027 with an average annual salary of $9.125 million, will now be fulfilled by the Houston Texans.