David Montgomery will be playing for a new team in the 2026 season, and he cannot help but be overwhelmed by the feeling of having to bid his old home farewell.

On Monday, the Detroit Lions made headlines when they traded the running back to the Houston Texans. Reacting to the move on Instagram, Montgomery, who had been one half of the “Sonic and Knuckles” duo with Jahmyr Gibbs, thanked the city of Detroit and the fans for being more than a place to play for him:

“You’ve been steady hands, loud cheers, honest feedback, and quiet strength when I needed it most. You believed in me when things were uncertain. You stood beside me through challenges. You showed up — consistently, fiercely, unapologetically.

“There is something special about the people here. The resilience. The loyalty. The way you don’t just support someone — you ride with them. I have felt that from each of you, and I will never take that lightly.”

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Montgomery was not the only key player whom the Lions ditched on Monday. Veteran offensive lineman Graham Glasgow was released, having switched from right guard to center upon Frank Ragnow’s retirement in 2025.

ALSO READ: “Joe Mixon must be cooked” “Ben Johnson got the Lions selling”: NFL fans stunned as David Montgomery gets traded to Texans

ALSO READ: Jahmyr Gibbs heartbroken after Lions trade David Montgomery to Texans a day after shutting down rumors

How David Montgomery trade will affect Texans

Trading away David Montgomery was arguably a move the Lions were expected to make given the rise of Jahmyr Gibbs and the presence of Sione Vaki. However, what does it mean for the Texans?

After multiple injuries, Joe Mixon is expected to be released. Nick Chubb might also not be back, either. Their impending departures will allow Montgomery to be the “thunder” to Woody Marks’ “lightning”, something that Texans Wire’s Cole Thompson likes:

“He’s the ideal fit for Nick Caley’s zone-based offense, relying on physical runs over speed toward the outside. He’s also been a wrecking ball inside the goal line, totaling six red zone touchdowns last season.”

ESPN’s Seth Walder, however, does not like the trade:

“An aging (29 years old in June), early-down back whose prior team had been phasing him out is not worth spending real resources on. It surprises me that Detroit was able to lure a four-seven swap here since the Texans could have found comparable expected production for far less.”

The transaction will not become official until the new league year commences on March 11.