David Montgomery Issues Heartbreaking Goodbye to the Lions After Being Traded
Hours after news broke that the Detroit Lions traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans for a couple of draft picks and Juice Scruggs, the man affectionately known as Knuckles took to Instagram to say farewell to a city that gave him everything — and got everything back in return. He captioned the post simply: "love always."
What Did David Montgomery Post?
"It's hard to find the right words for a goodbye like this," Montgomery wrote. "Detroit has never just been a location to me — it's been a community. And you all have been more than supporters or a team. You've been steady hands, loud cheers, honest feedback, and quiet strength when I needed it most. You believed in me when things were uncertain.
There is something special about the people here. The resilience. The loyalty. The way you don't just support someone — you ride with them. I have felt that from each of you, and I will never take that lightly. This isn't goodbye because something ended. It's goodbye because something grew. And growth sometimes calls us forward.
Please know this. Everything I do next carries a piece of Detroit with it. The work ethic. The edge. The heart. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for pushing me. Thank you for walking this chapter with me. I'm beyond grateful — and I'll always be proud to say I was shaped by this city and by you. With appreciation and respect, Dmoe."
If that doesn't make you feel something, check your pulse.
What Made This Pairing Special
Montgomery arrived in Detroit in 2023 and immediately became one half of something rare — a true backfield partnership where both players made each other better. Gibbs was dubbed Sonic for his speed and quickness, while Montgomery was called Knuckles for his power and physicality.
In three seasons with Detroit, Montgomery rushed for 2,506 yards and 33 touchdowns. He was the thunder to Gibbs' lightning. The guy who converted third-and-ones, who lowered his shoulder when nobody else wanted to, who showed up in December when games meant something. He was, in every sense of the word, a Lion.
Jahmyr Gibbs' Reaction Said It All
If Montgomery's words hit hard, Jahmyr Gibbs' response hit harder. Gibbs posted a broken heart emoji overlaid on an image of Sonic and Knuckles from the Sega video game on his Instagram story. Two cartoon characters, both crying. No words needed.
Amon-Ra St. Brown shared a graphic of the news on social media with a broken heart as well, and quarterback Jared Goff commented, "The greatest."
What Comes Next
For Houston, Montgomery is an immediate upgrade. With Nick Chubb set to hit free agency and Joe Mixon's future with the team uncertain after he missed the entire 2025 season with a foot injury, Montgomery and rookie Woody Marks are expected to be the Texans' leading rushers next season. He joins a team with a legitimate quarterback in C.J. Stroud and legitimate playoff aspirations — a chance to chase something he never quite reached in Detroit.
For the Lions, the path forward is clear. Gibbs is the engine now, full stop. The supporting cast will be rebuilt around him. Detroit moves on, as it always does.