Lead: David Montgomery publicly pushed back on an ESPN report that he “wants out” of Detroit, responding on Twitter amid NFL Combine week. The claim—originating from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler—said the 28-year-old running back has trade value because he is owed $6 million in 2026 and remains under contract. Lions general manager Brad Holmes has described conversations about Montgomery’s role as ongoing, and the team says it wants to do right by the player. With a new league deadline and roster decisions approaching ahead of March 11, the situation remains active.
Key Takeaways
- ESPN reported David Montgomery “wants out” and noted he is 28 and owed $6 million in 2026, a fact Fowler said gives him trade value.
- Montgomery responded on Twitter, appearing to dispute the characterization of his intentions toward Detroit.
- Montgomery’s touches fell from 185 carries in 14 games (13.2 per game) to 158 carries in 17 games (9.3 per game); snaps per game dropped from 27.9 to 24.0.
- Montgomery signed a mid-2024 two-year extension and still has two seasons remaining; he counts $8.4 million against the cap this year with $4.9 million guaranteed.
- A trade would free roughly $3.5 million in salary-cap space for the Lions, according to team accounting cited in coverage.
- ESPN suggested Detroit might seek a Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder) in return, indicating modest market value.
- Brad Holmes has said the team would like Montgomery to remain but acknowledged the conversations are “fluid.”
Background
The back-and-forth between Montgomery and the Lions has unfolded across the 2025 offseason. The public thread begins with Brad Holmes’ late-season remarks suggesting Montgomery deserved a role that utilized his skillset and that the team would explore options if that fit could not be found in Detroit. Those comments left room for interpretation about whether the player or the club preferred a change of scenery.
Montgomery signed a two-year extension in mid-2024 and therefore remains under contract for the coming seasons. In 2025 the Lions leaned more heavily on Jahmyr Gibbs as their primary ball carrier, which corresponded with a measurable decline in Montgomery’s snap share and carries. Team and player statements since then have emphasized mutual respect while acknowledging ongoing conversations.
Main Event
The most recent public spark came from ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler, who included Montgomery in his NFL Combine notes and wrote that Montgomery “wants out,” highlighting his $6 million obligation in 2026 as part of his trade value. Fowler added that sources in Indianapolis believed Detroit would seek a Day 3 draft pick in return—possibly a fifth-rounder.
Montgomery replied on Twitter to the report, a response that was read by many as a rebuttal to the “wants out” framing. The player has previously spoken positively about the organization and the locker-room relationships, while also saying he values being used where his talents fit best.
Holmes addressed the topic at the Combine, reiterating that the Lions “love David” and would like him back, but stressing that player preference matters and that conversations remain fluid. Those remarks echoed his end-of-season statements but did not supply a definitive resolution.
From a roster-management perspective, Montgomery’s contract and cap figure matter: he carries an $8.4 million cap hit this year with $4.9 million guaranteed. A trade would clear just over $3.5 million in cap space, a modest but actionable figure for a team managing short-term flexibility.
Analysis & Implications
At 28, Montgomery sits at a crossroads typical for veteran NFL running backs: age, recent workload and a relatively reasonable contract combine to create trade interest but limit premium return. The suggestion of a Day 3 pick aligns with market patterns for established backs on short-term deals who still offer immediate depth for contender teams.
For Detroit, the calculus includes on-field fit and locker-room dynamics. Montgomery’s decline in carries and snaps in 2025—partly caused by Gibbs’ emergence and the Lions’ game scripts—raises questions about the best long-term roster mix. If the team trades Montgomery, it would need to weigh modest cap savings and a late-round pick against losing experience and depth behind Gibbs.
From Montgomery’s perspective, a move could provide a clearer role and more predictable usage; conversely, staying would preserve continuity and the chance to regain a larger share of touches. His Twitter response suggests either a desire to refute a narrative of discontent or simply to correct public reporting; intent remains a matter of interpretation until either side confirms a change.
Leaguewide, the episode underscores how veteran running backs are currently valued—teams prize youth and cost-controlled options but will pay mid-level sums for proven contributors. If Montgomery is available for a fifth-rounder, that would be consistent with recent trades involving similarly situated backs.
Comparison & Data
| Season | Games | Carries | Carrying Avg/game | Snaps per game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 185 | 13.2 | 27.9 |
| 2025 | 17 | 158 | 9.3 | 24.0 |
These figures show a clear reduction in both workload and snap share from 2024 to 2025. Some decline may reflect game scripts—Detroit trailed more often in 2025—but the drop is large enough to prompt legitimate questions about usage and fit within the offense.
Reactions & Quotes
Below are selected short statements with context.
“And at running back, the Lions’ David Montgomery wants out, has a reasonable contract (owed $6 million in 2026) and is 28. That has value.”
Jeremy Fowler / ESPN (report excerpt)
Fowler included the Montgomery line in a broader roundup of Combine notes, framing the player’s contract and age as factors that could generate trade interest.
“We love David. He’s a great player. We would love to have him… a player has to want to be at a certain place as well, so those conversations are still fluid.”
Brad Holmes / Detroit Lions (Combine remarks)
Holmes repeated that Detroit values Montgomery but emphasized that the team is open to conversation and that the player’s preference matters in any resolution.
“I just think having us both together and us both being as selfless as we are, I think it’s really important.”
David Montgomery / NFL Network (season-end comment)
Montgomery has previously described the relationship with his teammates and the organization in positive terms, remarks that complicate a simple narrative that he wants to leave.
Unconfirmed
- The specific interest of other NFL teams in acquiring Montgomery has not been publicly confirmed beyond media sourcing; names of potential suitors are unverified.
- Whether Montgomery’s Twitter reply was intended as a direct rebuttal to Fowler’s report or as a broader clarification remains unclear.
- The exact draft compensation Detroit would accept—whether a fifth-round pick or a different Day 3 asset—has not been confirmed by the team.
Bottom Line
The immediate takeaway is straightforward: ESPN reported Montgomery “wants out,” the player publicly pushed back, and the Lions characterize discussions as ongoing. Facts on the table—age 28, $6 million owed in 2026 per reporting, $8.4 million cap hit this year with $4.9 million guaranteed—frame a plausible trade market that would likely yield a Day 3 pick rather than premium compensation.
For Detroit, the decision will turn on whether the team values roster continuity and veteran depth more than a modest cap saving and a late-round pick. For Montgomery, the choice is between staying to reclaim a larger role or seeking a clearer opportunity elsewhere. Watch for concrete movement in the coming days as roster closures and league timelines approach on March 11.
Sources
- Pride Of Detroit — local sports coverage (original roundup of the report and reaction)
- ESPN — national sports media (reporting by Jeremy Fowler referenced)
- NFL Network / NFL.com — league media (Holmes and Montgomery remarks reported during Combine and season-end)