A declining role in the second half of last season brought the idea to light, and during his season-ending press conference, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes practically confirmed running back David Montgomery would not be back with the team.
At the NFL Combine, Holmes' tune did not change at all, saying "we'll just see how it goes."
If Montgomery wanted to be traded, Holmes made it clear he would do his best to grant that wish. Just before the official start of the new league year, Montgomery was dealt to the Houston Texans for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and two draft picks.
During a recent appearance on the Deebo & Joe podcast, co-host James Harrison asked Montgomery if the trade to the Texans was something he wanted.
"When I was in Detroit, I thought I was going to be there for the rest of my career," Montgomery said. "I love the City of Detroit. They showed me an immense amount of love. Coach Campbell, a dope coach, you know. But when you you start to get a little older playing the game, at a professional level, and you start to kind of see how things unfold, you gotta get met with like a tough decision. And you know, I was met with that."
"It was inevitable that it was happening," Montgomery added. "It was something that was out of my hands. And when it came, like I was sick. I was sad that I had to leave. But it's the business part of it. I wish them nothing but respect."
David Montgomery opens up about getting traded by the Lions
Montgomery has already made it clear he carries no ill-will toward the Lions. The business realities simply kept his time in Detroit from continuing.
A note from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler before the trade went down suggested Montgomery wanted out. Based on everything Holmes had said, it was most definitely in Montgomery's hands if he wanted to be elsewhere.
When the news of the trade came, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported the Texans were Montgomery's preferred destination.
Circumstances that were out of Montgomery's hands did make a trade seem inevitable, so he wasn't being disingenuous by saying that. It can also be true that he wanted out based on those circumstances, as anyone in his position might, and he indirectly admitted that when he said he was met with a tough decision.
Montgomery has a nice opportunity in front of him in Houston, and the Lions are set to make Jahmyr Gibbs their bell cow. Things can, and hopefully will, work out very well for both sides.
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