David Montgomery remains a more-than-capable complement to Jahmyr Gibbs, even as Gibbs closes in on Barry Sanders’ record for rushing touchdowns scored before turning 24. Montgomery has put together a solid season of his own, totaling 635 rushing yards and eight scores while continuing a career-long pattern of dependable production, typically finishing each year in the 800–1,000 yard range.
That consistency is exactly why the way Detroit has deployed him this season has been puzzling.
Montgomery has been a physical force for the Lions, especially in recent weeks. Over the last three games, he’s averaged 5.9 yards per carry, providing steady production even as the interior of Detroit’s offensive line has struggled. During that same stretch, Gibbs—dynamic for much of the year—has cooled off, managing just 3.3 yards per attempt.
Given Montgomery’s downhill, contact-heavy running style, he appears better suited to attack tough defensive fronts like those fielded by the Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers. Yet his touches have declined, leaving fans scratching their heads and seemingly frustrating Montgomery himself.
Detroit’s Montgomery–Gibbs balance is clearly off
Campbell and the Lions have repeatedly emphasized their desire to increase Montgomery’s involvement while still ensuring Gibbs remains heavily featured. In theory, that sounds reasonable. In practice, the execution has been uneven—especially against the Rams, where the game plan failed to capitalize on what was working.
Gibbs finished that game with just 38 rushing yards on 13 carries, while Montgomery logged only seven attempts for 32 yards. That distribution made little sense given how effective Montgomery looked between the tackles. Meanwhile, Gibbs showed explosiveness when used creatively, particularly in a receiver-like role alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. There was a clear opportunity to shift Gibbs into more slot snaps while allowing Montgomery to shoulder more traditional rushing duties, but the adjustment never came.
Campbell’s decision-making against Los Angeles raised several eyebrows, and the handling of Montgomery was among the most questionable. Last season, Detroit thrived by maintaining a true two-back attack, with Gibbs and Montgomery complementing each other so well that fans coined a nickname to reflect their chemistry.
Now, Montgomery often disappears for long stretches, sometimes seeing just a handful of series at a time. With the Lions fighting for playoff positioning, that kind of underutilization feels like a dangerous gamble—one that could cost them when the stakes are highest.
