2026 Detroit Lions Offseason Thread

[Jason_R]

Yes, Montgomery was upset about a lack of carries. Yes, he probably said use me or trade me. Yes, the Lions probably said we want to keep you but if you insist on a trade we will honor it. Yes, the Lions want to establish that they are not going to cut him or give him away.

Unsaid in the whole thing is that the Lions didn't go away from him because they think he lost a step. They went away from him because their offensive efficiency went way down, as did their total number of carries overall. They were relying on Gibbs to try to manufacture offense because their OL and blocking schemes were trash. 

I doubt he will be traded and I hope he is not.  

[buddha]

3 hours ago, Jason_R said:

Yes, Montgomery was upset about a lack of carries. Yes, he probably said use me or trade me. Yes, the Lions probably said we want to keep you but if you insist on a trade we will honor it. Yes, the Lions want to establish that they are not going to cut him or give him away.

Unsaid in the whole thing is that the Lions didn't go away from him because they think he lost a step. They went away from him because their offensive efficiency went way down, as did their total number of carries overall. They were relying on Gibbs to try to manufacture offense because their OL and blocking schemes were trash. 

I doubt he will be traded and I hope he is not.  

exactly.  monty got less carries becuase gibbs is one of the best players in the nfl, and a home run threat every time he touches the ball.  no offense to monty, but gibbs needs more touches if the lions are to win games.  monty is replaceable, gibbs is not.

[KL2]

7 hours ago, 1984Echoes said:

I think there are a few teams who could pursue Montgomery and offer a 4th or a 5th.

I identified them a month ago but forgot the list of... about 4 or 5 teams? I don't remember them... but I think the Raiders were one of the teams IIRC. Monty is as much a culture change and tough-running change as he is still a talented runner. Enough to garner a late round pick coming back. I think there are teams willing to pay this price.

I think a trade of Monty is more of a possibility than an impossibility and does not warrant an outright release.

The mid-to-late-round pick coming back could be used to add a depth guy into the RB room...

Just my 2 cents.

I’d be shocked if he gets more than a conditional. Plenty of free agent running backs that only cost money and veteran players always return less than fans expect.

[1984Echoes]

It does happen though:

09-2025 Tank Bigsby traded to Eagles for 5th and 6th.

03-2025 Jordan Mason traded (+ 6th round pick #187) to Vikings for 5th (#160) and 2026 6th.

04-2023 DeAndre Swift traded (along with 7th #249) for 7th (219) and 2025 4th

11-2024 Khalil Herbert traded to Bengals for 7th

11-2022 Nyheim Miller-Hines traded to Bills for Zack Moss and 2023 5th

11-2022 Jeff Wilson traded to Dolphins for 2023 5th

04-2020 Matt Breida traded to 49'ers for 5th round pick.

[Jason_R]

2 hours ago, buddha said:

exactly.  monty got less carries becuase gibbs is one of the best players in the nfl, and a home run threat every time he touches the ball.  no offense to monty, but gibbs needs more touches if the lions are to win games.  monty is replaceable, gibbs is not.

Monty got less carries last year because the offense had 47 fewer plays overall. The fact that they were playing behind so much led to them having 92 fewer carries in 2025 vs. 2024. Gibbs had basically the same, 243 carries last year to 250 in 2024, but Monty had only 158 last year in 17 games played vs. 185 in 2024 in just 14 games played. Basically, since the OL and offensive scheme sucked, they asked Gibbs to play hero ball and Monty lost the carries. 

If they want to play Dan’s style of football, they need 2024 Monty. 

[KL2]

1 hour ago, 1984Echoes said:

It does happen though:

09-2025 Tank Bigsby traded to Eagles for 5th and 6th.

03-2025 Jordan Mason traded (+ 6th round pick #187) to Vikings for 5th (#160) and 2026 6th.

04-2023 DeAndre Swift traded (along with 7th #249) for 7th (219) and 2025 4th

11-2024 Khalil Herbert traded to Bengals for 7th

11-2022 Nyheim Miller-Hines traded to Bills for Zack Moss and 2023 5th

11-2022 Jeff Wilson traded to Dolphins for 2023 5th

04-2020 Matt Breida traded to 49'ers for 5th round pick.

Yeah and what’s the difference between all those guys and Montgomery?

[ewsieg]

3 hours ago, Jason_R said:

Monty got less carries last year because the offense had 47 fewer plays overall. The fact that they were playing behind so much led to them having 92 fewer carries in 2025 vs. 2024. Gibbs had basically the same, 243 carries last year to 250 in 2024, but Monty had only 158 last year in 17 games played vs. 185 in 2024 in just 14 games played. Basically, since the OL and offensive scheme sucked, they asked Gibbs to play hero ball and Monty lost the carries. 

If they want to play Dan’s style of football, they need 2024 Monty. 

Absolutely agree with you and I don't want to see Montgomery elsewhere either, but we currently have a gluttony at RB, so from Montgomery's perspective alone,  I understand if he wants a deal to protect his family financially.   We'll lose our advantage at RB, but if we focus on the offensive line we might still have a solid rushing offense and be able to focus on other areas we can take advantage in.