Denver Broncos Acquire RB David Montgomery in Trade with Detroit Lions

The move reunites Montgomery with head coach Sean Payton and boosts the Broncos' backfield.

Mar. 1, 2026 at 9:15pm

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The Denver Broncos have acquired veteran running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions in exchange for a 2026 third-round draft pick. The trade reunites Montgomery with Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who is known for his effective running game schemes. In Detroit, the move clears the way for the Lions to feature rising star Jahmyr Gibbs as their lead back.

Why it matters

This deal addresses key needs for both teams. The Broncos bolster their backfield with a proven, versatile running back in Montgomery, who should thrive in Payton's system. For the Lions, moving on from Montgomery allows them to fully commit to Gibbs as their RB1 of the future.

The details

Montgomery, 29, saw his role diminish in Detroit last season, leading to speculation he could be traded this offseason. The Broncos, who have a need at running back with several free agents, moved a 2026 third-round pick to acquire the veteran. In Denver, Montgomery is expected to serve as the lead back, complementing the pass-catching ability of RJ Harvey.

  • The NFL's free agency period is set to begin on March 11, 2026.
  • Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes hinted at a potential Montgomery trade in recent comments.

The players

David Montgomery

A 29-year-old running back who has spent the past four seasons with the Detroit Lions.

Sean Payton

The head coach of the Denver Broncos, known for his effective running game schemes.

Jahmyr Gibbs

A rising star running back for the Detroit Lions, who is expected to take on a larger role in the offense following the Montgomery trade.

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What they’re saying

“Those are conversations that we're going to have to have because I've 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.”

— Brad Holmes, Detroit Lions General Manager

What’s next

The Broncos will look to integrate Montgomery into their offense during the offseason program, while the Lions will focus on developing Gibbs as their lead back.

The takeaway

This trade benefits both teams, with the Broncos adding a versatile running back in Montgomery to bolster their ground game, while the Lions clear the way for Gibbs to take on a larger role in their offense.