The days of the Detroit Lions‘ dynamic backfield duo tearing up the NFL together may be drawing to a close. Affectionately known as “Sonic and Knuckles” in a reference to their differing running styles, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have been terrorizing the league together for the last three seasons. But now, Detroit may be moving in a different direction with one of their star tandem.
On Thursday, Lions GM Brad Holmes spoke with Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press in his end-of-season press conference, where he discussed among other things Montgomery’s future in Detroit. It seems the Lions are at least open to trading Montgomery.
“Those are conversations that we’re going to have to have because I’ve got a lot of respect for that player,” Holmes said. “[Montgomery] deserves to be in a situation where his skill set can be utilized. And so yeah, would love it for it to be here, but if it can’t be here, then you would have to just see what you can work out the best for him.”
Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes on the Possibility of Trading RB David Montgomery
GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 14: David Montgomery #5 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball during the second quarter against Byron Young #0 of the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
“Look, those are discussions that we’re going to have to have a lot more in-depth in terms of what is the best plan for him going forward,” Holmes continued. “Is it somewhere else or whatever the case may be. But just really appreciate everything that he has done for us if it does end up going that way.
“I hope it doesn’t [mean we have to trade him], because we love David Montgomery. He’s a good football player and wish we would have been able to get more utilization from him.”
In his three seasons with the Lions, Montgomery has 2,506 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns to go with 76 receptions for 650 yards. In 2025, he had career-lows in carries and yards, with the fewest touchdowns he’s had since arriving in Detroit.
Montgomery was originally a third-round pick out of Iowa State by the Bears in 2019. He spent the first four seasons of his career in Chicago, totaling 3,609 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns along with 155 receptions for 1,240 yards and four touchdowns.
Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs had a Major Breakout Season in 2025
A big part of the reason for Montgomery’s slump in production this season was due to the breakout of his backfield running mate, Gibbs. A first-round pick by the Lions out of Alabama back in 2023, Gibbs is one of the league’s most dynamic all-around offensive weapons, a major threat as a runner and a receiver.
Detroit lines Gibbs up in the backfield, in the slot, and everywhere in between to create matchup advantages and get him into space. He was productive as a rookie, with 1,261 combined rushing and receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. The Lions got even more out of him in 2024, when he totaled 1,412 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, as well as 52 receptions for 517 yards and four touchdowns.
The Lions offense took a step back as a whole in 2025, but Gibbs stepped up to take on a larger share of the offensive workload, at times at the expense of Montgomery. Gibbs had 1,223 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, adding 77 receptions for 616 yards and five touchdowns.
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