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ESPN Jeremy Fowler wrote the Seattle Seahawks are a logical suitor for running back David Montgomery if they lose Kenneth Walker in NFL free agency.
Pundits have already mentioned the Seattle Seahawks in connection with a few different running backs this offseason if the team loses Kenneth Walker. Seahawks fans can add another running back to the list of possibilities — David Montgomery.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday that Montgomery doesn’t want to return to the Detroit Lions and mentioned the Seahawks as a trade fit.
“At running back, the Lions’ David Montgomery wants out, has a reasonable contract (owed $6 million in 2026) and is 28. That has value,” Fowler wrote. “Word out of Indy is that Detroit would want a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder) in return.
“Seattle makes sense here if it can’t re-sign Kenneth Walker III.”
Walker is a free agent and is expected to command a significant salary bump. On Saturday, ESPN’s Ben Solak predicted a “bidding war” to potential start over Walker when he officially reaches the open market.
With that in mind, the Seahawks could pursue other options, such as Montgomery.
In 2025, Montgomery rushed for 716 yards with eight touchdowns. He averaged 4.5 yards per attempt.
If Kenneth Walker Leaves, Could Seahawks Pursue David Montgomery?
While Fowler is a major insider, it’s important to note that he didn’t report the Seahawks as having interest in Montgomery. The ESPN insider was merely connecting the dots.
Should the Seahawks lose Walker, Montgomery is a logical replacement on paper. Seattle has cap space to make a bigger splash, but the team is likely going to spend that money on retaining defensive players.
Furthermore, the Seahawks may simply prefer not to have Walker on their roster as one of the highest-paid running backs in the league.
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper predicted Walker to receive a 4-year, $52 million contract. Such a contract would make him a top five running back in total contract value and average annual salary.
Although he’s recovering from an ACL injury this offseason, the Seahawks have Zach Charbonnet returning on the roster next season. If Walker departs, Seattle will likely want a running back capable of being a starter if Charbonnet misses the beginning of the season. But that starter will probably have to eventually slide into a timeshare with Charbonnet.
That’s what makes Montgomery an ideal fit. He’s been “the guy” at times in three seasons with the Lions. But Montgomery’s playing time has decreased over his Detroit tenure with the rise of Jahmyr Gibbs.
Montgomery had a career low 158 carries last season. In his first five NFL campaigns, he averaged 227 attempts per year.
Does Montgomery Want to Leave Detroit?
Hours after Fowler reported Montgomery “wants out” in Detroit, the running back himself pushed back on X.
“Damn, Dmo told you that?” Montgomery wrote in response.
Montgomery’s reaction wasn’t exactly a denial. Fowler’s report on Sunday was also not the first time the Lions running back has appeared in trade rumors, and the speculation is likely to continue this offseason.
But it’s possible the immediacy of Montgomery wanting out of Detroit may have been overblown in the latest ESPN report.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes addressed Montgomery at the NFL combine last week. He was highly complimentary of the running back but noncommittal on what the team might do with Montgomery this offseason.
“We love David. He’s a great player,” Holmes said. “We would love to have him. Kind of want to put last year in the rearview and just move forward.
“But a player has to want to be at a certain place as well, so those conversations are still fluid and we’re just kind of seeing how it goes.”
Montgomery has two years left on his contract. According to Spotrac, he will have a $8.37 million cap hit in 2026.
That should be considerably less than Walker’s cap hit after he signs in free agency.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
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