By Moses Joshua 
A familiar Detroit columnist floats an idea involving David Montgomery that feels logical on paper—and explosive everywhere else.
Few things stir Detroit Lions fans quite like an offseason suggestion that tampers with a winning formula. Add a much-criticized local columnist to the mix, and the reaction is almost guaranteed. That’s exactly what happened this week when an idea resurfaced that many fans won’t even want to entertain: the possibility of trading David Montgomery.
It’s the kind of proposal that immediately raises defenses, not because it questions Montgomery’s value, but because it challenges how the Lions have come to define themselves offensively.
A Backfield That Has Quietly Shifted
The idea didn’t appear out of thin air. Dating back to the offseason, when John Morton arrived as offensive coordinator, there was speculation that the Lions’ backfield workload might change. Whether plays were being called by Morton or head coach Dan Campbell, that shift has quietly materialized.
Not long before taking over play-calling duties, Campbell publicly pushed for Montgomery to receive more touches alongside Jahmyr Gibbs. The result was striking: Montgomery logged 39 carries over the next three games. But that usage didn’t last. Over the past five games, Montgomery has totaled just 32 carries.
With tight end Sam LaPorta sidelined, Gibbs’ role has expanded even further. He rarely leaves the field. Montgomery, meanwhile, has seen his snap count shrink — just 37 offensive snaps over the last two games — a notable drop for a back who has long thrived as Detroit’s tone-setter.
A Game Script That Told a Story
The Lions’ Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams provided a clear snapshot of how fragile Montgomery’s role can become when the game tilts the wrong way.
In the first half, Montgomery carried the ball six times for 31 yards. After halftime, he touched the ball once — a direct snap in the Wildcat — which he turned into a one-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Typically, a positive game script favors Montgomery. When Detroit plays from ahead, his physical running style helps bleed the clock and impose will. Against the Rams, trailing by two scores for much of the final stretch, the offense leaned heavily toward Gibbs, with little visible effort to reinsert Montgomery into the flow.
The Proposal That Lit the Fuse
Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press, a columnist who already occupies a polarizing space among Detroit fans, was on site at SoFi Stadium for that loss. After examining Montgomery’s role and his long-term outlook, Monarrez put his idea into writing — and into the firestorm.
After noting that Montgomery will turn 29 next June and outlining his 2025 season, Monarrez delivered the line that set social media alight:
“This is why the answer is clear for the Lions and Montgomery: He needs to be traded this offseason – for their good and for his.”
He was quick to clarify that this wasn’t a knock on Montgomery’s ability.
“Let’s be clear. This isn’t an indictment of Montgomery’s potential. It’s actually the opposite. It looks like he still has plenty in the tank to help a team that needs a power back able to handle a bulk of the load.”
Predictably, the reaction from fans was swift and hostile, especially given Monarrez’s history with the Detroit fan base. The idea of moving on from a player so closely tied to the team’s physical identity feels almost sacrilegious.
Uncomfortable, but Not Impossible
From a purely football standpoint, the idea isn’t as outrageous as it sounds. It wouldn’t be ideal in terms of cap savings or dead money, but it’s not unworkable. Montgomery’s reduced role this season, the natural timeline of a running back’s peak years, and future financial decisions all push the conversation into uncomfortable territory.
That doesn’t mean it will happen. But it does mean it can.
Regardless of who suggests it — and regardless of how loudly Lions fans reject it — the possibility exists. The Lions are building toward sustainability, and difficult decisions often follow success.
Montgomery remains a beloved, bruising presence in Detroit’s offense. But as this offseason approaches, the conversation surrounding him may be one fans would rather avoid — even if it refuses to go away.