Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs: 'Of Course I Want David (Montgomery) Back'

Detroit star running back Jahmyr Gibbs hopes that the other half of his “Sonic and Knuckles” duo returns to the Lions in 2026.

“Of course I want David back. The whole team would want David back, but it’s ultimately up to him. He’s going to do what’s best for him and his family and whatever he decides to do I’m going to support 100%. But of course we want him back, though,” Gibbs told the Detroit Free Press last week at the Pro Bowl.

Alongside David Montgomery, Gibbs has formed one of the league’s top running back tandems over his three seasons in the NFL. But, questions about Montgomery’s Lions future emerged over the course of Detroit’s 2025 campaign as his usage dipped.

Montgomery finished with career-lows in carries (158) and rushing yards (716) in 2025. That decreased workload was one of Lions’ fans biggest critiques last season.

In a late-season stretch from Nov. 16 at the Eagles through the Lions’ Dec. 21 date versus the Steelers, Montgomery logged single-figure carries in six straight games as Detroit went 2-4 during that span of games.

Concerns that Montgomery might not be back with the franchise in 2026 were only amplified during Lions general manager Brad Holmes’ end-of-season media remarks.

“Obviously, I know that it was a tough year for him in terms of the lack of touches, and I’m not going to say that we went into it planning for it to be that way. I thought he handled it like a pro,” Holmes said on Jan. 8.

Holmes acknowledged a trade involving Montgomery could end up being a realistic outcome.

“Look, those are discussions that we’re going to have to have a lot more in depth in terms of what is the best plan for him going forward. Is it somewhere else or whatever the case be. But, just really appreciate everything that he has done for us if it does end up going that way.

“I hope it doesn’t, because we love David Montgomery. He’s a good football player, and wish we would have been able to get more utilization from him. I know Dan (Campbell) feels the same way, but those are conversations that we’re going to have to have because got a lot of respect for that player. He deserves to be in a situation where his skill set can be utilized. And so yeah, would love it for it to be here, but if it can’t be here, then you would have to just see what you can work out the best for him,” Holmes said.

During an NFL Network appearance last week, Montgomery gave fans hope that he would return in 2026 when he raved about Gibbs and the pairing the two of them have formed.

“I think teams in the NFL are starting to realize how important it is to have two guys and two really great guys. The really good teams have the rarity of having two really good guys. Jahmyr is one of, if not the best running backs in the league. And I believe I’m a damn good back myself.

“Every chance I get to try to showcase myself I will and I just think having us both together and us both being as selfless as we are, I think is really important. It’s something special to be a part of,” Montgomery said.

In his NFL career, Montgomery has rushed for 6,115 yards and 59 touchdowns, including 2,506 yards and 33 rushing touchdowns over the past three seasons with the Lions.

Meanwhile, Gibbs has eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau in each of the past two seasons. The 23-year-old rushed for 1,223 yards and 13 scores last season.

In 2024, the Lions’ rushing attack set single-season franchise records in rushing touchdowns (29) and games with 100 rushing yards (16) while also tying a single-season NFL record by producing 15 games with at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs: ‘Of course I want David (Montgomery) back’

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