The NFL world was shaken on Monday after the Detroit Lions agreed to trade veteran running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans. The trade deal split up one of the most beloved backfield tandems, formed with Jahmyr Gibbs, in recent memory of the NFL.

Montgomery moves to Houston in exchange for veteran line Juice Schrugg and two draft picks. The move comes just a day after he publicly quashed trade speculation reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, making the transaction more poignant for Gibbs and fans alike.

Jahmyr Gibbs had an emotional reaction to the sudden departure of David Montgomery on Monday. The running back took to Instagram to post a picture of Sonic the Hedgehog and Knuckles the Echidna, a clear reference to the duo’s nickname in Detroit, shown walking away from each other with teardrops, while adding a broken-hearted emoji.

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Montgomery and Gibbs formed a formidable one-two punch in the Lions’ backfield over the last couple of seasons, combining explosive playmaking with power running. Their chemistry on the field helped form a close relationship off the field, making the trade a difficult one for them.

David Montgomery’s exit marks the end of his chapter with Jahmyr Gibbs on the Lions’ offense. He saw his role reduced last season, finishing with 716 yards and eight touchdowns. Gibbs, on the other hand, threw for 1,223 yards and 13 touchdowns.

David Montgomery penned a heartfelt farewell message

A few hours after the news of his sudden trade to the Houston Texans surfaced, David Montgomery shared an emotional farewell message to the Lions through a post on his Instagram page. He appreciated everyone who was part of his journey in Detroit.

“It’s hard to find the right words for a goodbye like this,” Montgomery wrote. “Detroit has never just been a location to me – it’s been a community. And you all have been more than supporters or a team. 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.”

David Montgomery arrived in Detroit in 2023 after four seasons with the Chicago Bears. His tenure with the Lions ended with 2,506 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns. He will look to build on this performance in Houston.