Lions hint at getting David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs on the field together

It makes sense to get your best players on the field as much as possible, and to that end Lions head coach Dan Campbell hinted at David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs being on the field at the same time.

A couple seasons ago, there was measurable data out there to show how the Detroit Lions offense was more proficient when Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift were on the field together. This year, the same could be opined about David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. With the resources spent on each guy, in free agency and the draft respectively, using them both a lot feels practically automatic.

During OTAs, it's easy to talk in hypotheticals and try things with nothing really at stake. Proof of anything actually coming to fruition will come later. But there's no such thing as a bad idea in May.

On Thursday, with media present for the OTA session, head coach Dan Campbell pointed to the various ways the Lions' offense can attack opposing defenses with personnel and formation (h/t to Pride of Detroit).

"You add a tight end and now we can live in 13 (one RB, 3 TEs) personnel more,” Campbell said. “You got Gibbs, he comes along with (David) Montgomery, you’re going to see more two back with two H (backs). The receiver thing, you get Jamo (Jameson Williams) back, we’ve got Marvin (Jones Jr), maybe you go some 10-personnel (1 RB, 0 TEs, 4 WRs).”"

- Dan Campbell

Montgomery and Gibbs are both legit weapons in the passing game as well as on the ground, even if Montgomery's passing game usage as a Chicago Bear didn't often show it.

Again, an idea in May means nothing if it's not actually used come September. But it's fair to say Montgomery and Gibbs are two of the Lions' best offensive skill position players, with Amon-Ra St. Brown mixed in. Finding ways for them to share the field, even for only a few snaps a game or especially over the first six games of the season while Jameson Williams is suspended, makes absolute sense.