The Detroit Lions have officially shifted into offseason mode after falling short of the NFL playoffs for a second consecutive year. With Super Bowl LX now in the books following the Seattle Seahawks’ stunning win over the New England Patriots, all 32 teams are focused on what comes next.

For Detroit, that means navigating a tight salary-cap situation. General manager Brad Holmes has several major decisions ahead, and one of them could involve parting ways with veteran running back David Montgomery to free up financial flexibility for future extensions.

Despite the uncertainty, Montgomery still has strong support inside the locker room—especially from fellow running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

Speaking at last week’s Pro Bowl Games, Gibbs didn’t shy away from sharing his feelings about Montgomery’s future.

“I absolutely want David to come back,” Gibbs said. “Everyone on the team does. But at the end of the day, it’s his decision. He’s going to choose what’s best for him and his family, and whatever that is, I’ll support him fully. Still, we’d love to have him back.”

Montgomery Expected to Draw Strong Trade Interest

League insiders believe Montgomery would be a popular name on the trade market. According to two anonymous NFL executives, several teams are expected to inquire about his availability.

“Given his toughness, experience, and ability to run through contact, there are definitely teams that would be interested,” one executive said. “Detroit should have a clearer picture of his trade value within the next few weeks.”

Another executive suggested the Lions’ offense is now firmly centered around Gibbs, adding that Detroit is unlikely to limit his workload going forward. That could prompt Holmes to explore trade discussions at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

From a financial standpoint, moving Montgomery before June 1 would result in $4.9 million in dead money while saving the Lions $3.5 million against the cap. A post–June 1 trade would be more favorable, creating $6 million in cap space with only $2.4 million in dead money.

Holmes has acknowledged that Montgomery’s future may ultimately lie elsewhere.

“These are tough conversations because I respect him so much as a player,” Holmes said. “He deserves to be in a spot where his strengths are fully used. Ideally that’s here, but if it’s not, then we want to find the best possible situation for him.”

Montgomery is scheduled to carry a cap hit of $8.37 million next season, which would rise to just over $10.24 million in 2027.

Montgomery’s 2025 Season Marked by Declining Production

While Gibbs remains hopeful the partnership continues, Montgomery’s performance dipped in 2025. The veteran posted career lows in multiple rushing categories, finishing with just 158 carries and 716 yards—both the lowest totals of his career. It was also the first season in which he averaged fewer than 10 rushing attempts per game.

Originally selected by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft (73rd overall), Montgomery joined Detroit in 2023 on a three-year, $18 million deal.

As the Lions evaluate their next steps, Montgomery’s future remains one of the most intriguing storylines of Detroit’s offseason.