David Montgomery is having a quietly dominant 2025 season with the Detroit Lions, and it's time we talk about why this veteran running back deserves way more national attention than he's getting.
Through 11 games this season, Montgomery has rushed for 511 yards and 5 touchdowns while adding 18 receptions for 135 yards, establishing himself as a crucial cog in one of the league's most explosive offenses. But the numbers don't tell the whole story—what makes Montgomery special is his consistency and the way he complements star running back Jahmyr Gibbs in what's become one of the NFL's most feared backfield duos.
The Perfect Complement to Gibbs
The Lions have constructed something rare in modern football: a legitimate two-headed monster at running back. While Gibbs gets the highlight-reel plays and the fantasy football hype, Montgomery is the one grinding out the tough yards that defensive coordinators lose sleep over.
Earlier this season, the pair made history together. In a dominant 38-30 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3, both Montgomery and Gibbs recorded
two rushing touchdowns each, combining for 218 yards on the ground. That kind of balanced offensive attack is nearly impossible to defend, and it's a big reason why the Lions sit at
7-4 heading into the final stretch of the season.
Facing Stacked Boxes and Still Delivering
What makes Montgomery's production even more impressive is the defensive attention he faces. The Lions have dealt with a
league-high rate of stacked boxes—defensive formations specifically designed to stop the run—yet Montgomery continues to find ways to move the chains.
His best performance came in Week 3 against the Ravens, when he rushed for
151 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 12 carries, averaging an impressive
12.6 yards per attempt. Even in tougher matchups, like the recent loss to the Eagles where he was held to 37 total yards, Montgomery remains a focal point of the Lions' offensive game plan.
A Veteran's Steady Hand
Now in his
seventh NFL season and third with Detroit, Montgomery brings a level of professionalism and reliability that younger backs simply can't match. Entering 2025, he had already accumulated
5,641 rushing yards with 53 touchdowns across his career. He's not chasing individual accolades—he's focused on winning football games and helping the Lions finally break through to a Super Bowl appearance.
The Lions have been the most successful team in the NFC North over the past few years, but playoff success has eluded them. Montgomery understands that his role is to be the steady, dependable presence that allows the offense to function at its highest level, whether that means grinding out tough yards or catching checkdown passes in crucial moments.
What's Next for the Lions
As Detroit pushes toward the playoffs, Montgomery's ability to share the workload with Gibbs while maintaining his own production will be critical. The Lions have championship aspirations, and their success will depend on keeping both backs fresh and effective down the stretch.
Montgomery may never be a household name like some of the league's flashier backs, but ask any defensive coordinator in the NFL, and they'll tell you:
David Montgomery is one of the toughest running backs to game-plan against. That's the mark of a truly elite player.
1.
David Montgomery 2025 Stats per Game - ESPN2.
David Montgomery: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights - Yardbarker3.
Lions Film Review: Montgomery and Stacked Boxes - Detroit Lions Official4.
David Montgomery Player Profile - FOX Sports**
Sources
1. David Montgomery 2025 Stats per Game - NFL - ESPN
2. David Montgomery: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights | Yardbarker
3. THE DAILY DRIVE: Lions film review: Montgomery and the real impact of facing league-high rate of stacked boxes
4. David Montgomery cuts Packers lead to 10-7 - NBC Sports
5. David Montgomery - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports
6. Lions' David Montgomery punches in three-yard TD to cut into ...
