The Detroit Lions revamped their running back depth chart this offseason, making numerous moves at the position. The team’s leading rushers from last season, Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift, both moved on this offseason.
Williams signed a deal in free agency with the New Orleans Saints, capitalizing on his career season and pricing himself out of Detroit. Swift was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2023 NFL Draft as he lost out in the numbers game.
Part of that numbers game was David Montgomery being signed in free agency. The team doubled down on the running back position, using one of their first-round picks in the draft on Jahmyr Gibbs out of Alabama. That led to a change needing to be made, which ended up being Swift on the move.
Despite now having to battle with a first-round pick for snaps, Montgomery is happy with the decision he made in free agency. He likes the direction that the Lions are going in and took a shot at his former team in the process, the Chicago Bears, during a recent appearance on a stream with new teammate, safety C.J. Garnder-Johnson.
“I like to compete, that is what football is about. It’s so refreshing to be at a place where I am appreciated,” Montgomery said.
Montgomery will certainly have a chance to compete this year as Gibbs will be involved heavily in the offense. The two could make for a dynamic duo as both are adept in the passing game in addition to their skills as ball carriers.
In addition to being happy about being in a place where he is appreciated, Montgomery piled on his former team. He said playing for the Bears sucked the fun out of playing football, which is certainly not a ringing endorsement for the organization.
Dan Campbell is a coach that guys seem to love playing under and Montgomery will now have the chance to experience that for himself. Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes are doing their best to create a new culture in Detroit and based on some of what Montgomery has said, they seem to be accomplishing that goal.
