After an uncharacteristically slow start for the Detroit Lions offense, Sunday afternoon’s 20-13 road win over the Arizona Cardinals was a reassuring return to form. Quarterback Jared Goff had his best game of the season, completing 14 straight passes and finishing 18 of 23 for 199 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. But running back David Montgomery’s 23 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown was the spark that lit the fuse, leading to their success.
How David Montgomery Pushes The Detroit Lions To Success
Montgomery was the real star of the offense, setting the pace and tone for the ground game. In 2023, his first year with the Lions, Montgomery became the catalyst for the NFL’s most successful running back duo. Sharing touches with Jahmyr Gibbs, the pair became the first to accomplish 1,000-yard seasons with ten touchdowns each.
Detroit Lions 2023 Season
During the regular season, Montgomery earned 1,015 rushing yards on 219 carries with 13 rushing touchdowns. He added 16 receptions for 117 receiving yards and scored a touchdown in 11 different games. In the NFC Championship game, where the Lions lost to the San Francisco 49ers, Montgomery had 113 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown.
Picking up right where he left off last year, Montgomery scored a touchdown in all three games with 231 yards on 51 carries. But even more impressive is Montgomery’s grit and determination when he pushes past defenders for extra yardage. His hard-charging, take-no-prisoners attitude is reminiscent of 2025 Hall of Fame recipient Marshawn Lynch.
Like Lynch, Montgomery fights off the opposition to gain that extra yardage. But unlike Lynch, who made the NFL All-Rookie Team with 1,115 yards and seven touchdowns, it took a bit longer for Montgomery to become a top-tier running back.
David Montgomery -The Early Years
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Montgomery was raised by a single mother. As a result of poverty and a lack of stability, his childhood was challenging and characterized by frequent moves. After being convicted of murder and drug trafficking, his brother was imprisoned.
However, Montgomery’s athletic prowess became his escape from that life. He became known for 200 and 300-yard games, playing both quarterback and running back in high school. In his senior year, he came to the attention of college recruits by breaking the single-season rushing record with 2,707 yards.
After a standout sophomore year at Iowa State, Montgomery was named to the All-Big 12 team and first-team All-American, where he broke a record for forced missed tackles previously set by Dalvin Cook. Montgomery finished in second place in the Big 12 his junior year with 1,216 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Declaring for the 2019 draft, he was selected by the Chicago Bears in the third round with the 73rd pick.
The Chicago Years
Montgomery got off to a slow start with the Bears, sharing targets with Tarik Cohen. But towards the end of his rookie season, he began to make an impact. He finished with 889 rushing yards, six touchdowns, and 25 receptions for 185 yards with one touchdown.
Montgomery enjoyed a successful second year with the Bears. Highlights included an 80-yard touchdown on the Bears’ opening drive against the Houston Texans. The following week, Montgomery rushed for a career-high 146 yards on 32 carries with two touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings. In his first 1,000-yard season, Montgomery had 247 rushes for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns. He ranked fifth among running backs in the NFL that year.
The following year, Montgomery suffered a knee sprain in a game against the Lions. He was out of the lineup for several weeks, just missing another 1,000-yard season. In 2022, Montgomery had a disappointing season with 801 rushing yards on 201 carries and seven touchdowns. In 2023, when his four-year rookie contract ended, Montgomery declared himself a free agent.
Making A Difference With The Detroit Lions
Montgomery signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the Lions in March of 2023. As he developed a relationship with his new team and coaching staff, it became obvious that Montgomery was an important part of the Lions’ offense. In a game against the Lions’ division rival Green Bay Packers, Montgomery rushed for 121 yards on 32 carries with three touchdowns. The Lions’ 2023 season was the team’s most successful in decades, and they’re now regarded as a genuine Super Bowl contender.
Pushing The Detroit Lions to Success
In the 2024 season opener against the L.A. Rams, the game went into overtime. The Lions won the coin toss, and Montgomery went into action. Five of the eight plays in the series were running plays, with Montgomery grinding it out and scoring the winning touchdown.
On Sunday afternoon, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s game plan focused on what’s worked in the past. He dialed up a fierce ground game plus a healthy dose of imaginative play-calling. Relying on his dynamic duo, Johnson took advantage of Montgomery’s forceful rushing game along with Jahmyr Gibbs’ pass-catching ability. In addition to his 16 carries for 83 yards, Gibbs scored on a brilliantly choreographed hook and ladder pass from Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Sun God had seven receptions for 75 yards and an early touchdown, besides the lateral to Gibbs.
Now, on his way to another 1,000-yard rushing season, Montgomery shares the vision of reaching the Super Bowl with the Lions. The team has plenty of talented individuals on both ends of the ball. But what makes this group unique is that Dan Campbell and Brad Homes have assembled a team where each individual is accountable for their successful mission. They recognize it takes a group effort to achieve that goal. When the offense struggled in the second half, the defense dug deep to prevent the opposing team from scoring.
When a superior effort is required for Montgomery to convert a fourth down, the entire front line lifted him over the marker. The Philadelphia Eagles may have the tush push, but the Lions have the Montgomery mover.
Main Image: Rob Schumacher – USA Today Sports
