A recurring knock on former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton was his reluctance to consistently feature running back David Montgomery. Things got tense enough that head coach Dan Campbell stepped in, stressing that the physical runner needed to be a bigger part of the weekly plan. So when Campbell assumed play-calling duties, it was reasonable to expect Montgomery’s involvement to spike.

In Campbell’s debut as the primary play-caller, Montgomery saw 15 carries for 71 yards. But in the following week’s tough loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, he virtually vanished from the offense, logging just six rushing attempts after three straight games with double-digit touches. And it’s not as though he was ineffective—he still averaged 4.5 yards per rush against one of the NFL’s top defensive fronts.

This inconsistency prompted questions for Campbell, and according to ESPN’s Eric Woodyard, the coach insisted he would “always” prefer to feed Montgomery more. That’s an odd stance to take when you’re the person who dialed back the touches in a game where the offense was searching for answers. Having publicly emphasized Montgomery’s importance, Campbell’s sudden shift away from him felt contradictory.

Campbell Risks Creating More Problems for Himself With Montgomery

Revisiting the Eagles game only heightens the confusion. While Detroit’s offense sputtered, the defense played well enough to keep the contest close and leave the door open for a stronger commitment to the run.

Choosing not to seize that opening—and instead limiting Montgomery to a season low in carries—falls directly on Campbell. Even if a heavier workload wouldn’t have changed the final outcome, it could have uncovered an unexpected spark in a matchup where the Lions desperately needed one.

Giving Montgomery only six carries one week after giving him his largest workload of the year is difficult to justify. The Lions also risk placing too large a burden on Jahmyr Gibbs if Montgomery isn’t regularly involved, which raises concerns about durability. To Campbell’s credit, he at least acknowledged the mistake and reiterated the need to get Montgomery the ball more often moving forward.

That doesn’t erase the frustration of the previous week, but it does suggest Campbell recognizes the issue. The numbers support the point as well: Detroit is 5–2 this season when Montgomery receives at least 10 rushing attempts, and just 1–2 when he does not. If the Lions want to climb back into the playoff picture after an erratic offensive season, this trend can’t be ignored.

For Detroit to regain its identity, Montgomery needs to be a central piece of the offense. Featuring him more consistently would relieve pressure on Gibbs and quarterback Jared Goff, giving the Lions a better chance to tap into the offensive ceiling they’ve yet to reach.