The Detroit Lions have built their identity around a physical rushing attack during Dan Campbell’s tenure, with David Montgomery playing a major role in that philosophy.
That role, however, evolved during the 2025 season. As the year progressed and Jahmyr Gibbs emerged as one of the NFL’s most explosive playmakers, Montgomery saw his overall snap count decline. Down the stretch, he was on the field for more than 35 percent of Detroit’s offensive plays in only one of the final five regular-season contests.
Despite the reduced usage, Montgomery still finished the season with 716 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. While speaking on Radio Row during Super Bowl week as part of an appearance supporting the Boy Scouts of America, Montgomery addressed questions surrounding the Lions’ running back rotation.
He pushed back on the idea—floated by NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms—that Gibbs was “taking” his opportunities. Instead, Montgomery framed the situation as a positive reflection of the team’s depth at the position.
“I wouldn’t call it dealing with anything, and I definitely wouldn’t say carries were being stolen,” Montgomery said. “It’s more about being on a team that has the luxury of two high-level backs. I’m a competitor like anyone else at this level—I want to play and be involved. But I’m also a great teammate, and I’ll do whatever is necessary to help the team move in the right direction. I want to be part of that success, too.”
Confidence in a Lions Rebound
Montgomery acknowledged that Detroit failed to meet expectations in 2025, finishing last in the NFC North and missing the playoffs after entering the season with Super Bowl aspirations. Still, he remains confident that the downturn will be short-lived.
While he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what went wrong, Montgomery expressed full trust in general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell to right the ship.
“That’s not really a question I can answer,” Montgomery said. “That’s why Brad and Coach Campbell are in their roles—to figure that stuff out. What I do know is they work extremely hard, and this isn’t something we’re going to be stuck in. It’ll get fixed, and we’ll be back where we were before this season. We’re aiming high—we’re trying to get to the Super Bowl.”
Optimism Around New Offensive Leadership
Another reason for Montgomery’s optimism is Detroit’s decision to bring in Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator. The Lions parted ways with John Morton following the season and hired Petzing, who previously ran the Arizona Cardinals’ offense for three years.
Petzing has a strong track record when it comes to designing effective rushing attacks, most notably helping James Conner post consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons in Arizona. Montgomery said he has already spoken with the new coordinator and came away encouraged.
“I’ve talked with him a little bit,” Montgomery said. “It’s obvious he understands what needs to be done and that he’s ready for the challenge. I’m excited to see what he brings to our offense and how we can take a step forward from where we were last year.”
