Don’t mourn Sonic & Knuckles just yet.
The Detroit Lions running back duo of David Montgomery (Knuckles) and Jahmyr Gibbs (Sonic) combined for 2,187 yards and 28 touchdowns on the ground en route to the Lions going 15-2 and claiming the NFC’s top seed in 2024. Gibbs led the way with 1,412 yards and 16 touchdowns, but Montgomery was right behind him with 775 yards and 12 touchdowns.
A similar story played out last season, even though the Lions stumbled to 9-8 and missed the playoffs, judging by the box score alone. Gibbs rushed for 1,223 yards and 13 touchdowns on 243 carries, while Montgomery notched 716 yards and eight touchdowns on 158 carries. However, watching the Lions, it became clear that the offense runs through Gibbs, who also caught 77 balls for 616 yards and five touchdowns.
It would make sense if Montgomery wanted the chance to be a lead back somewhere else, as reported out of the 2026 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, but Montgomery dumped cold water on the idea that he’s unhappy in Detroit.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported, “The Lions’ David Montgomery wants out, has a reasonable contract (owed $6 million in 2026) and is 28. That has value. 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.”
Shortly after Fowler’s report was published on Sunday morning, Montgomery responded on X (formerly Twitter). “Damn, Dmo told you that?” he wrote, referencing his own nickname.
Make of that what you will.
Montgomery joined the Lions on a three-year, $18 million contract in March 2023. He spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Chicago Bears, who drafted him out of Iowa State in the third round in 2019.
Montgomery has been steadily productive since entering the league — notching at least 800 yards in each of his seasons with the Bears, including a 1,070-yard season in 2020. With the Lions, Montgomery became a goal-line and, subsequently, touchdown machine. In 2023, the Lions’ first year of the Gibbs and Montgomery tandem after drafting Gibbs at No. 12 overall that April, Montgomery rushed for 1,015 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns. Detroit almost had two 1,000-yard rushers, as Gibbs finished just shy at 945 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Montgomery has two years left on his contract, though there is a potential out this year, while the Lions have until May 1 to pick up Gibbs’ fifth-year option. The fifth-year option amount for 2026 for running backs with two or more Pro Bowl selections is $14.29 million, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, and Gibbs has been named to three Pro Bowls.
The NFL’s new league year and free agency period officially open on March 11 at 4 p.m. EST.
The 2026 NFL Draft will begin on April 23 in Pittsburgh.