The Houston Texans keep making moves like a team that knows its window is open, but not every aggressive swing has been met with applause. One of the loudest flashpoints has been the deal for veteran running back David Montgomery, a move that brought immediate pushback from critics who think Houston paid a premium it didn’t need to pay.
ESPN’s Seth Walder put the issue bluntly, pointing to what the Texans gave up and the age of the player they brought in. “I was much less enthused by the Montgomery trade, in which the Texans gave up fourth- and seventh-round picks (plus OL Juice Scruggs as a throw-in). The team needed a running back to pair with Woody Marks, but considering Montgomery's age -- 29 is ancient in running back years -- this was an inefficient use of resources.”
That’s the heart of the debate: not whether Montgomery can still help, but whether the cost matched the return. Houston surrendered draft capital and a young lineman to land a back at a position where teams often find value without paying that kind of price.
The age factor only sharpens the criticism. Running backs rarely age gracefully, and once they get close to 30, the drop-off can come fast. If Montgomery starts to lose some of the power and burst that made him appealing in the first place, this trade will only look more expensive with time.
Still, the Texans clearly saw more than a box score player. Montgomery has earned a reputation as a bruising runner who can grind out yards in traffic and handle himself in pass protection.
For an offense trying to make life easier on C.J. Stroud, that kind of reliability matters.
Houston also doesn’t need Montgomery to be a one-man show. Woody Marks is expected to have a real role, and that split should give Offensive Coordinator Nick Caley a chance to manage both backs and keep them fresh. That kind of workload could help Montgomery stay effective without piling on too many miles.
In the end, the verdict will come from what happens on the field. If Montgomery helps steady the running game, gives Stroud better support, and contributes to another postseason push, the draft picks won’t matter much to Texans fans. If he doesn’t, this will stay on the list of moves people point to when they say Houston spent too much for too little.
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