Lions reward running back David Montgomery with two-year contract extension

When the Detroit Lions pivoted from fan and locker room favorite Jamaal Williams to David Montgomery in 2023 free agency, it was an undeniable talent upgrade. Montgomery has also proven to be a perfect culture fit, as well a productive running back, and his stay in Detroit will be a little longer.

As first reported by Dan Miller of FOX 2 in Detroit, and announced by the team on Saturday night, the Lions and Montgomery have agreed to a two-year contract extension. Tacked on to his original three-year, $18 million deal, Montgomery is now under contract with the Lions through the 2027 season.

According to multiple reports, it's a two-year, $18.25 million deal for Montgomery with $10.5 million in new guaranteed money. As noted by ESPN's Adam Schefter, that $9.125 million new money average puts Montgomery among the 10 highest-paid running back in the NFL.

Lions reward another core player with David Montgomery extension

The Lions signed Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Jared Goff and Taylor Decker to contract extensions this offseason, and now they're keeping Montgomery around a little longer as a core piece of one of the league's best offenses.

Montgomery topped 1,000 rushing yards (1,015) for the second time in his career in his first year as a Lion, setting career-highs in rushing touchdowns (13) and yards per carry (4.6). He has proven his worth early this season, starting with Week 1 when he rushed for 45 of the 70 yards on the overtime game-winning drive against the Los Angeles Rams.

Quarterback Jared Goff called Montgomery "our tone-setter" after that game, echoing the same sentiment that has been expressed by head coach Dan Campbell and running backs coach Scottie Montgomery.

Through four games this season, Montgomery had 271 rushing yards, 94 receiving yards, four rushing scores and two "Angry Runs" scepters from "Good Morning Football's" Kyle Brandt.

Via Tim Twentyman of Lions. com:

"Dating back to last season, Montgomery leads all NFL players in games with a rushing touchdown (15) and ties for the lead in games with at least 50 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown (12). His 17 rushing touchdowns since the beginning of the 2023 season tie for the fourth-most in the League during that span."

We'll see what the exact details of Montgomery's contract looks like. But not many teams would sign a 27-year old running back with nearly 1,200 career carries (entering this week), and a season-plus left on his original contract, to a contract extension that takes him through his age-30 season.

Then again, the Lions are not like any other team in terms of how they do business and that's been a good thing as Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have built a winning culture.