Bengals should avoid trading for a hometown hero after successfully turning one of their weaknesses into a strength
Cincinnati native David Montgomery could be on the trade block, but the Bengals aren’t in dire need of his services.
It’s impossible to confuse the identity of the Cincinnati Bengals. Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins are on the team to put up points with the pass game. The Bengals give themselves a chance at winning every game those three suit up and play up to their abilities.
Finding an effective run game to pair with their quarterback and wide receivers has been a process, and there’s an avenue to make it even better in 2026.
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes recently opened the door for running back David Montgomery to be traded, and A to Z Sports Detroit’s Mike Payton identified Cincinnati as a possible trade destination for Montgomery. Payton projects the cost would be a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“This one is pretty simple. This is Montgomery’s home, and who doesn’t want to play for their hometown team? The other thing is that this is Montgomery’s real shot to get a ton of carries. The Bengals’ run game is one of the worst in the NFL, and they could use some help. He and Chase Brown could be fun together.” — Payton on Montgomery’s fit with Bengals
Why David Montgomery would make sense for the Bengals
Cincinnati is where Montgomery was born and raised. The 28-year old was a three-star recruit out of Mt. Healthy High School, about 11 miles north of downtown Cincinnati.
Week 5 of the 2025 season was the first time Montgomery got a chance to play in his hometown on the NFL stage. He rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown and also threw for a score in Detroit’s 37-24 victory over the Bengals.
Montgomery achieved a career-high 3.17 yards after contact (YAC) per rush this past year, and a career-high 26.8% of his rushing yardage came on attempts that went for 15 yards or more. Samaje Perine, Cincinnati’s 30-year old No. 2 back, boasted a 3.23 YAC/rush average in 2025. If Cincy wants someone a bit younger for his role, Montgomery would fit the bill.
Why David Montgomery would not make sense for the Bengals
Let’s be real. The Bengals need all the draft capital they can get, and sacrificing any pick for a running back of all positions is not a sensible decision.
Cincinnati would not start Montgomery at this stage in his career, much like he isn’t starting over Jahmyr Gibbs for the Lions. Chase Brown is firmly established as RB1 for the Bengals, especially after racking up his first 1,000-yard season and 1,456 yards from scrimmage in his first full year as the lead back. Montgomery would be traded to an offense that would play him no more than the offense he’s a part of now.
Payton claiming Cincinnati has “one of the worst” rushing attacks in the league is also a mischaracterization. Sure, the Bengals were 27th in rushing yards, but they were also 29th in attempts. When they did run the ball, they were efficient and the offense benefitted. They ranked fifth in EPA/rush and fourth in rushing success rate this past year, major leaps from 2024 when they ranked 19th and 25th, respectively.
That’s a testament to Brown’s growth, Perine’s impact in his return following two years being away from the club, and the blocking scheme in front of them improving dramatically.
Montgomery could be a piece that strengths Cincinnati’s rushing attack, but he’d also be a costly addition. He has two years and $15 million remaining on his contract, and the Bengals would owe him $6 million for 2026 alone. They’re scheduled to pay Brown and Perine just under $3 million combined next season.
If Cincinnati’s run game was still an anchor holding its pass game back, this kind of move would be enticing to consider. Montgomery is a good player with a personal reason to play hard for the Bengals. Brown continuing to ascend while being three years younger than him, along with Perine’s known fit as the complementary back, makes trading for Montgomery an unnecessary venture.