How the Lions beat out two division rivals for one critical free agent
The Detroit Lions were one of the NFL’s big winners through the first wave of free agency. The Lions made critical upgrades to positions of desperate need to kick off the new league year. One of those key additions is running back David Montgomery. Montgomery arrives in Detroit after spending his first four seasons with […]
The Detroit Lions were one of the NFL’s big winners through the first wave of free agency.
The Lions made critical upgrades to positions of desperate need to kick off the new league year. One of those key additions is running back David Montgomery.
Montgomery arrives in Detroit after spending his first four seasons with the Chicago Bears. After the Lions lost Jamaal Williams in free agency, the team moved quickly to sign Montgomery to a three-year deal worth $18 million, including $8.75 million fully guaranteed.
Inking Montgomery was a win in itself, but Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports the Lions beat out the Bears and Vikings for his services.
Bears GM Ryan Poles hinted at re-signing Montgomery, as he has been a valuable piece on the field and in the locker room for one of the NFL’s youngest teams. But it appears as if Chicago wasn’t as willing to offer a contract that included a comparable amount of guaranteed money.
The Vikings have concerns at the running back position as well. Starting running back Dalvin Cook has been at the center of trade rumors all offseason. Plus, at the time Montgomery was looking for a new deal Minnesota had yet to re-sign Alexander Mattison.
The plan is for Montgomery to split carries with D’Andre Swift. That being said, Swift has missed a total of 10 games in his first three seasons in Detroit, so durability is a bit of a concern.
Montgomery is capable of handling a full-time role if Swift is to ever miss any time in 2022. The Iowa State product is coming off of a 2022 campaign in which he rushed for 801 yards and five touchdowns on 201 carries.
