David Montgomery’s Frustration Boils Over as Lions Shift Focus
There’s no sugarcoating it - David Montgomery isn’t thrilled with how things are going in Detroit. And after a quiet performance in a 29-24 loss to the Steelers, the veteran running back’s frustrations are starting to spill into the public eye.
Montgomery finished the game with just 17 yards on four carries. One of those runs went for 14 yards, meaning the rest of the night netted just three yards on three touches.
More telling than the box score, though, was his absence down the stretch. As the Lions played from behind in the second half, Montgomery was barely involved - a clear sign of how far the pendulum has swung toward rookie Jahmyr Gibbs in the offensive game plan.
And now, Montgomery’s social media activity has added fuel to the fire.
On Tuesday, a photo of his uniform hanging in the Lions’ locker room made the rounds online - but that was just the warm-up. The real headline came when Montgomery liked a fan’s Instagram comment suggesting he should request a trade.
The comment read: *“I love you, bro, but you should request a trade. The way they’re treating you and glazing Gibbs is atrocious.
Look what happens when we don’t use you. We lose.”
That like didn’t go unnoticed.
Now, let’s be clear - a social media like isn’t a formal trade request. But in today’s NFL, where players often use platforms like Instagram and X to send messages without saying a word, it’s hard to ignore the signal. Especially when it comes from a respected vet like Montgomery, who’s been a key part of Detroit’s recent success.
Last season, Montgomery was a workhorse in the Lions’ backfield, racking up 775 yards and 12 touchdowns on 185 carries in just 14 games. Detroit leaned on him heavily, finishing the regular season at 15-2. He brought a physical edge to the run game that complemented Gibbs’ explosiveness - a true thunder-and-lightning tandem.
This year, the story’s been different.
Montgomery has still been productive - 140 carries, 649 yards, and eight touchdowns through 15 games - but the volume just isn’t the same. Gibbs has become the focal point, and Montgomery has taken a backseat in the offense. The Lions, meanwhile, sit at 8-7 and are clinging to playoff hopes rather than storming toward a top seed.
It’s not hard to understand why Montgomery might be frustrated. He’s under contract through 2027, but if his role continues to shrink, a change of scenery could be on the table - whether he pushes for it or not.
For now, Detroit has bigger concerns. They’re trying to stay alive in the playoff hunt, and internal drama is the last thing they need. But make no mistake: Montgomery’s discontent is real, and it’s something the Lions will have to address - sooner rather than later.