It’s make or break time for the Detroit Lions, head coach Dan Campbell included. Sure, this franchise looks nothing like it did, say, five years ago. It’s strong, vibrant and a real contender in the NFL. But, if this team expects to get to the Super Bowl for the first time in Detroit history, that window is closing. This year has to be strong.
So, when the 2025-26 season wrapped up, the Lions made a move that was pretty unexpected.
They traded away a fan favorite. He wasn’t just a fan favorite. He was productive. He kept the offensive line consistent and solid.
Yes, trades are a part of the NFL reality. Teams even trade their best players because those are the guys that you get more for in return. But, this one may come back to haunt them.
Lions said farewell to a fantastic running back
During the offseason, the Lions traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans. That one hurt, and Nick Brinkerhoff of USA Today says getting the highlight reel-heavy Montgomery was the Texans’ best move of the offseason.
“You can blame the postseason failures on C.J. Stroud’s struggles, Joe Mixon’s disappearance, Nico Collins’ injury and dozens of different things. They all lead to the same conclusion – an anemic offense was holding back an elite defense,” he writes in the piece. “The trade for Montgomery lessens the burden on Stroud’s right arm, something that can’t be overlooked.”
So, the Lions’ loss is the Texans’ gain. At least he wasn’t traded to an NFC North challenger. But, it’s still a move that could come back to bite Dan Campbell and the Lions.
