Texans Acquire RB David Montgomery in Trade

Former Bears star joins Houston backfield ahead of new NFL season

Apr. 20, 2026 at 2:27am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a football running play broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes, using the colors of the Texans and Bears uniforms to represent the two teams involved in the trade.The Texans' acquisition of running back David Montgomery signals a shift in their offensive strategy as they look to bolster their ground game.Houston Today

The Houston Texans have acquired veteran running back David Montgomery in a trade with the Chicago Bears, adding the former Pro Bowler to their backfield ahead of the upcoming NFL season.

Why it matters

Montgomery is a proven playmaker who should provide a boost to the Texans' rushing attack as they look to improve on a disappointing 2025 campaign. The move also signals the likely departure of current Texans RB Joe Mixon, who had been rumored to be on the trading block.

The details

In the trade, the Texans sent a 2024 third-round draft pick to the Bears in exchange for Montgomery. The 26-year-old running back is coming off a 2025 season in which he rushed for 1,120 yards and 8 touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection.

  • The trade was completed on April 19, 2026, just days before the start of the new NFL league year.

The players

David Montgomery

A 26-year-old running back who was recently traded from the Chicago Bears to the Houston Texans.

Joe Mixon

The current starting running back for the Houston Texans, who is expected to be traded or released following the acquisition of David Montgomery.

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What they’re saying

“David Montgomery is a proven playmaker who will make an immediate impact on our offense. We're excited to add him to our backfield as we look to bounce back this season.”

— Lovie Smith, Head Coach, Houston Texans

What’s next

The Texans will now look to integrate Montgomery into their offense during the offseason program and training camp, while also determining the future of incumbent RB Joe Mixon.

The takeaway

This trade represents a significant upgrade for the Texans at the running back position, as they bring in a talented and experienced player in David Montgomery to bolster their ground game. The move also raises questions about the status of Joe Mixon, who could be on his way out of Houston.