Lions RB Makes Dramatic Change Replacing Houston Texans' David Montgomery

The Houston Texans entered the offseason with two clear goals on offense: Strengthen the offensive line and upgrade at running back. To fix their running back deficiency, the Texans traded for Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery.

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While the offensive line additions have seen some skepticism, one thing seems clear: The Texans upgraded at running back with Montgomery. To get an idea of how valuable the former Lions running back was in Detroit, consider the steps the Lions are taking to replace him.

Montgomery is a bruiser, a difficult tackle for any non-defensive lineman to make. As a result, the Lions are having to up their game to have the offense they had with Montgomery.

Michael Gallagher of Newsweek writes that Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is going through an unusual training process to duplicate what Montgomery brought to the table last season. Gibbs is going through MMA training to add more physicality to his repertoire. 

Here's what Gallagher had to say on the topic.

"For the first time in his NFL career, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs won’t be sharing a backfield with David Montgomery. The 29-year-old tailback was traded to the Houston Texans early in the offseason, leaving Gibbs as Detroit’s bell-cow back in 2026.

But without Montgomery, who was Detroit’s physical, bruising back used in many short-yardage and goal-line situations, Gibbs will likely be used in some of those situations next year.

With his body likely to take more of a beating as the Lions’ lead back, Gibbs decided this offseason was the perfect time to train mixed martial arts. He’s even been working with famed MMA coach Rafael Cordeiro, logging more than 20 one-hour sessions, according to ESPN."

Houston Texans running back David Montgomery arrives for the teams minicamp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Separating bias, Gibbs was the more talented of the two running backs. Still, the unique training change speaks to a skill set that Montgomery had and that Gibbs will need to develop. It provides some insight into what the Texans are getting in Montgomery and might shape how we view the trade.

Montgomery is a physical back, but he's also a complete back. It makes one wonder what an offseason of MMA training would do for Montgomery.

The former Detroit running back can take the lion's share of carries, something that the Texans may ask him to do this season. We will get a better idea of how heavily the Texans plan to rely on Montgomery when they start the season in September.

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