Following the Detroit Lions’ Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, head coach Dan Campbell stated that he wanted to “balance the backfield out” by giving David Montgomery more opportunities. The move made sense after one of the team’s weakest rushing performances of the year. Montgomery had just four carries, while Jahmyr Gibbs totaled 17. Knuckles made the most of his limited touches, averaging six yards per carry, compared to Gibbs’ 3.8-yard average.
A week later, however, Campbell might have to rethink that plan to boost Montgomery’s workload. Detroit did, in fact, balance the backfield by raising Montgomery’s carries to 13 while keeping Gibbs at 17. But Sonic delivered the best game of his career, torching Tampa Bay’s defense. Gibbs not only averaged eight yards per carry but also racked up 82 receiving yards, finishing with 218 total yards from scrimmage — the most by a Lions player since Calvin Johnson in 2013, according to ESPN Research.
Campbell Might Struggle to Maintain the Touch Split He Envisioned
Although Campbell’s intention to involve Montgomery more and keep Gibbs from being overworked makes sense, dividing touches equally will now be much tougher. Last season, the split was similar, with Gibbs averaging 14.7 rushing attempts per game and Montgomery 13.2. Despite Gibbs being far more explosive — arguably the best back in the league — Campbell continued to feature Montgomery prominently.
This season, Montgomery’s attempts have dropped to 11.1 per game, while Gibbs’ numbers have stayed mostly consistent. The 23-year-old has again been more efficient, averaging 5.1 yards per carry compared to Montgomery’s 4.6.
Each player contributes a different dynamic. Gibbs wins with elite speed and agility, while Montgomery thrives on strength and power between the tackles. There are certainly moments when Montgomery’s physicality and ability to break tackles are critical to sustaining drives. His punishing runs also soften defenses, helping Gibbs find more open space on later possessions.
Still, Detroit must stop treating both runners as if they are equals. Montgomery is a valuable asset and a key piece of the offense, but that doesn’t mean he deserves the same workload as the league’s top running back. After Monday night’s breakout performance, it’s likely that Dan Campbell now sees it the same way.
