The Detroit Lions’ postseason didn’t go as planned, but the 2024 season was far from a failure. The team excelled in several areas, particularly in the backfield.

Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery alternated in dominating opposing defenses, helping Detroit average 146.4 rushing yards per game (6th) and 4.7 yards per carry (T-6th).

The Lions showed that having two RB1-caliber players on the roster is a winning formula. Unsurprisingly, many NFL teams are now looking to emulate the approach that Dan Campbell and his staff successfully executed this season.

On Monday, Reese’s Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy noted that Detroit’s Gibbs-Montgomery combination has inspired other teams to follow suit. “Everyone in the (NFL) is trying to get where Detroit is,” Nagy said, via The Draft Network.

Some were initially skeptical when the Lions selected Gibbs 12th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Taking an RB early in the first round is always a gamble, and many fans wondered if the pick would backfire. However, Gibbs silenced his critics in just two seasons.

The former Alabama standout led the league with 20 scrimmage touchdowns in 2024, amassing 1,412 rushing yards on 250 carries and adding 517 receiving yards on 52 catches.

His 1,929 scrimmage yards trailed only Saquon Barkley (2,283) and Derrick Henry (2,114), securing his place among the NFL’s elite running backs.

Gibbs’ success was aided by Montgomery, who provided a reliable option to keep the workload balanced. The veteran surpassed 1,000 scrimmage yards for the sixth consecutive season, scoring 12 touchdowns in 14 games.

After extending Montgomery with an $18.25 million deal in October, the Lions ensured both RBs are under contract through 2027 (barring any changes to Gibbs’ fifth-year option).

With this duo in place, Detroit is poised to maintain one of the league’s most formidable backfields for years to come.

It remains to be seen whether other franchises can replicate Detroit’s success. Many teams struggle to secure even one game-changing RB, let alone two.

Ultimately, the Lions should take pride in knowing their roster-building strategy has become a model for the rest of the NFL.