After the big move to sign him, we now have the details of the contract David Montgomery signed with the Detroit Lions.
The Detroit Lions made big news on Tuesday night, signing former Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery to a three-year deal. Much to the chagrin of many Lions’ fans, that means Jamaal Williams will not be back.
It was a reported three-year, $18 million deal for Montgomery, with $11 million in total guaranteed money. Of course the surface news reports don’t get into the finer details of these contracts, but those details come quickly.
So with that, Montgomery’s contract details are out.
#Lions RB David Montgomery's contract:
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) March 15, 2023
Three years, $18M, $4.5M signing bonus, $11M total guarantee, $500k per year in per-game roster bonuses
Base salaries:
2023: $1.25 fully gtd
2024: $5.25M ($3M fully gtd)
2025: $5.5M
David Montgomery #Lions two years, $18M, $11M gtd, $4.5M signing bonus, salaries $1.25M, $5.25M ($3M fully gtd, another $$2.25M gtd if on roster 3rd day 2024 league year), $5.5M; $29,412 per game active roster bonus annual, 2026 league year voids if on roster last day 2025 year
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 15, 2023
As has become typical, Montgomery’s deal has 2026 as a void year to spread out the cap hit of his $4.5 million signing bonus.
As expected, and outlined by Over The Cap too, the entire $11 million in guarantees is emcompassed by the $4.5 million signing bonus and eventually $6.5 million in base salary the first two years. $3 million of that $5.25 million salary for 2024 is guaranteed until the remaining $2.25 million becomes guaranteed if he’s still on the roster on the third day of the 2024 league year. And he should be, unless next season goes horribly wrong with a major injury.
Lions make the expected contract commitment to David Montgomery
As easily expected when the deal was announced, the Lions are practically attached to Montgomery for the next two years. According to Over The Cap, the third year actually voids on March 15, 2025 and if he’s cut the Lions would only take a $2.25 million dead money hit.
Montgomery has cap hits of $2.845 million (2023), $6.875 million (2024), $7.125 million (2025) in the meat of the deal, with a $1.125 million cap hit for the 2026 void year.
There will of course be comparisons between Montgomery’s deal and whatever deal Jamaal Williams gets from another team, as Lions fans will continue to lament Williams is gone. But the Lions did a nice deal here with Montgomery, and as said before they also got a talent upgrade.