By Moses Joshua 
Lions Facing a Difficult Crossroad in Their Backfield as Gibbs Emerges and Montgomery Fades
A Changing Backfield Dynamic in Detroit
The Detroit Lions’ 34–27 overtime victory over the New York Giants should have showcased the strength of their two-headed backfield. Instead, it revealed a widening gap between a rising star and a fading veteran. While Jahmyr Gibbs delivered one of the most explosive performances of the NFL season, David Montgomery was nearly invisible — a troubling trend that has Detroit inching closer to a painful reality.
What was expected to be a balanced tandem has morphed into a one-man show, and the implications for Montgomery’s future are becoming harder for the franchise to ignore.
Gibbs Takes Over: A Superstar Ascending
Gibbs didn’t just contribute — he detonated. The second-year running back torched the Giants for 219 rushing yards, three total touchdowns, and 264 all-purpose yards, single-handedly turning the game in Detroit’s favor.
After the win, head coach Dan Campbell didn’t mince words about the young star’s impact, saying:
“He’s electric. He’s a game changer. Now, I’m going to give credit to that o-line… I had a good feeling — I think we all did — about Gibbs.”
Gibbs has earned that confidence. Over the last two weeks, he has amassed 27 carries, while Montgomery has seen only 11 — a stark indicator of where the coaching staff’s trust now lies. What Detroit envisioned as a balanced backfield is now being powered by a single engine.
David Montgomery’s Decline: From Trusted Veteran to Afterthought
Montgomery’s numbers against New York told a painful story. Five carries. Eighteen rushing yards. No impact. No momentum. And rapidly shrinking opportunities.
The early-season narrative placed blame on offensive coordinator John Morton’s play-calling. But with Dan Campbell now taking the reins and Gibbs thriving, the issue is much clearer — and far more concerning for Montgomery.
His production has dipped steadily since arriving in Detroit in 2023. Once a reliable 1,000-yard rusher, he now appears misaligned with a Lions offense that has evolved around speed, explosiveness, and big-play capability. Simply put: Detroit can score 34-plus points without giving Montgomery meaningful touches. That alone is telling.
A Difficult Decision Looms
If the Lions stumble in the postseason again — something very possible given their inconsistency this year — the roster could undergo necessary adjustments. And Montgomery might be among the first pieces reconsidered.
According to Spotrac, the Lions can move on from Montgomery after this season with a post–June 1 cut or trade, saving $6 million while absorbing only a manageable dead-cap hit over the next two years.
With Gibbs emerging as Detroit’s unquestioned lead back, the justification for keeping Montgomery grows thinner by the week.
The Bottom Line
Detroit isn’t just watching a shift — it’s watching a takeover. Gibbs is “the guy,” and Montgomery is struggling to provide more than replacement-level value. The more this pattern continues, the more inevitable a painful decision becomes.
The Lions are bracing for tough news, not because they want to move on from Montgomery, but because the reality on the field is leaving them little choice.
If he can’t rebound soon, the Motor City might be preparing to say goodbye.