Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes acknowledged at the end of the season that the team would need to explore its options regarding running back David Montgomery, noting that the veteran deserves to play in a role that fully maximizes his abilities—even if that ends up being outside Detroit.

About a month later, Montgomery’s backfield partner, Jahmyr Gibbs, addressed the situation while attending the Pro Bowl Games and made it clear where he stands.

“I definitely want David to come back,” Gibbs told Detroit Free Press reporter Dave Birkett. “Everybody in the locker room feels that way. But at the same time, it’s his call. He’s going to do what’s best for him and his family, and whatever choice he makes, I’ll support him completely. Still, we want him here.”

Gibbs and Montgomery have shared duties in the Lions’ backfield for the past three seasons, forming one of the league’s most productive running back tandems. Montgomery’s physical running style has often worn down defenses, setting the stage for Gibbs to exploit openings with his speed and explosiveness. Together, the duo has totaled more than 6,000 rushing yards, over 2,000 receiving yards, and 82 combined touchdowns, making them one of the NFL’s most dangerous backfield pairings.

That partnership, however, may be nearing a crossroads. The idea of moving Montgomery stems from how his role diminished late in the 2025 season. As Gibbs—who will be just 24 next year—continued to emerge as a true featured back, the 28-year-old Montgomery saw fewer opportunities as the Lions leaned heavily on Gibbs to spark an offense fighting for playoff relevance.

Montgomery finished the year with career-low totals in carries (158) and rushing yards (716), and for the first time in his seven-year NFL career, he averaged fewer than 10 rushing attempts per game. While he logged double-digit carries in seven of Detroit’s first nine contests, he reached that mark only once over the remainder of the season.

From a cap perspective, trading Montgomery would not significantly hinder the Lions. According to Over The Cap, dealing him before June 1 would leave $4.9 million in dead money while freeing up $3.5 million in cap space. Waiting until after June 1 would reduce the dead-money charge to $2.4 million and create $6 million in savings.

Although Gibbs and Montgomery have thrived together, Detroit’s new offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing, has a track record of favoring a workhorse running back. During his time with the Arizona Cardinals, Petzing leaned heavily on James Conner in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons before injuries forced a more committee-based approach last year.

While Gibbs—and likely much of the roster—would welcome another season alongside Montgomery, the combination of a reduced role, manageable financial implications, and Gibbs proving he can handle a full workload makes a potential split logical if Detroit finds a willing trade partner.

For now, Montgomery’s future remains unresolved. But if a deal is ultimately made, it would mark the end of the popular “Sonic and Knuckles” era in Detroit—fittingly with Gibbs, like Sonic in the video game series, emerging as the centerpiece.