The Detroit Lions head into the 2026 season with something to prove - not to the league, not to the fans, but to themselves. After a 9-8 finish in 2025 that left them third in the NFC North and out of the playoff picture, this team is at a crossroads. The momentum they built in recent years under Dan Campbell took a hit, and now, as the roster begins to shift, the Lions are staring down a pivotal offseason.
One of the biggest questions looming over Detroit is the future of its backfield - a duo that’s been one of the most effective in the NFL over the past three seasons. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have formed a thunder-and-lightning combo that’s carved up defenses with power, speed, and versatility. But like all good things in the NFL, it looks like this partnership may be coming to an end.
Montgomery, who signed a two-year, $18.25 million extension in 2024, could be on the chopping block. The move wouldn’t be about performance - Montgomery was solid in his role - but rather about value and cap flexibility.
If the Lions designate him as a post-June 1 cut, they’d free up $6 million in 2026 and $9 million in 2027. That’s no small chunk of change for a team that may need to reallocate resources to support other areas of the roster.
What’s driving this potential split is the continued rise of Gibbs. The 2025 season was his breakout year, and it wasn’t just about the numbers - though they were impressive: 243 carries, 1,233 yards, and 13 touchdowns.
It was the way he ran - with vision, burst, and a growing command of the offense. Gibbs didn’t just take over the backfield; he became the engine of Detroit’s offense.
Montgomery, meanwhile, saw his role shrink. Despite playing all 17 games for the first time in his career, he logged a career-low 158 carries.
That’s a clear signal of where things are headed. The Lions leaned into Gibbs’ explosiveness, and the results spoke for themselves.
There’s also the financial piece. If Detroit is serious about locking up Gibbs long-term - and reports suggest a four-year, $80 million extension could be on the table - then trimming the fat elsewhere becomes a necessity. You can’t pay everyone, and when one back is clearly ascending while the other is becoming more of a complementary piece, the decision starts to make itself.
The Lions are also dealing with other changes. The surprise retirement of offensive tackle Dan Skipper leaves a gap in the trenches, and more roster turnover is likely. This isn’t just about one move - it’s about reshaping the team around its emerging stars, and Gibbs is at the center of that plan.
Detroit’s front office has tough decisions ahead, but that’s the cost of trying to climb back into contention. If 2025 was a step back, 2026 has to be a leap forward.
And for that to happen, the Lions need to build around the players who can carry them there - both literally and figuratively. Right now, that means putting the ball - and the future - in Jahmyr Gibbs’ hands.