Field Level Media
01 Mar 2026, 21:49 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images)
Lions running back David Montgomery 'wants out' of Detroit after three seasons, ESPN reported on Sunday.
Montgomery, however, immediately appeared to refute the report on X, posting: 'Damn, Dmo told you that?'
The ESPN report claims the Lions would want 'a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder)' in the 2026 NFL Draft in return for Montgomery, who turns 29 in June and is owed $6 million next season.
The report follows general manager Brad Holmes' remarks after the season about Montgomery being unhappy with his playing time in 2025. Sharing a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, Montgomery rushed for a career-low 716 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (no starts).
'Those are conversations that we're going to have to have because I've got a lot of respect for that player,' Holmes said of Montgomery in January. 'He deserves to be in a situation where his skillset can be utilized, and so yeah would love for it to be here, but if it can't be here then you'd just love to see where could work out best for him.'
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Holmes said the situation with Montgomery is 'fluid.' He signed a two-year extension during the 2024 season that runs through the end of the 2027 campaign.
'Yeah, I have been in touch with David's agent, and his representation,' Holmes revealed. 'Obviously, we love David, he's a great player, we love to have him, you know, kind of want to put last year in the rear view, and just move forward. But, obviously, a player has to want to be at a certain place as well. The conversations are still fluid, but we'll see how it goes.'
Montgomery has rushed for 2,506 yards and 33 touchdowns in 45 games (28 starts) in three seasons with Detroit (2023-25). He has 76 catches for 650 yards in that span.
He began his career with the NFC North rival Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the third round in 2019. Montgomery rushed for 3,609 yards and 26 scores in 60 games (51 starts) with the Bears (2019-22).
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Chicago Chronicle news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Chicago Chronicle.
More InformationVATICAN CITY: A small workshop in the Vatican, which has existed since the late 1500s, has been working hard to preserve the mosaics...
LONDON, U.K.: Instagram will begin notifying parents if their teenager repeatedly searches for suicide or self-harm-related terms within...
COPENHAGEN, Denmark: A spike in U.S. interest in property in Greenland's capital has accelerated efforts by lawmakers to pass a foreign...
SEOUL, South Korea: Samsung Electronics unveiled its flagship Galaxy S26 smartphone lineup on February 26, raising prices for some...
NEW YORK, New York - A strong Producer Prices Index report Friday undermined U.S. stocks across the board, with all the major indices...
CO LIMERICK , Ireland - A mjor drug bust undr\er Operation Tara was carried out in Ireland on Wednesday. Officers attached to the...
(Photo credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images) Lions running back David Montgomery 'wants out' of Detroit after three seasons, ESPN...
(Photo credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images) The Atlanta Hawks will try to get to the .500 mark for the first time since December when...
(Photo credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images) The Utah Mammoth, winners of three of their last four games, are battling to remain in a playoff...
(Photo credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images) Luka Doncic celebrated his 27th birthday with 26 points, eight assists and six rebounds...
(Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images) Lane Thomas recorded two hits, including a triple, and five RBIs, as the Kansas City...
(Photo credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images) Michigan sophomore guard L.J. Cason tore the ACL in his right knee during Friday's victory...
