David Montgomery's Impact on Lions' Offense after Contract Extension

David Montgomery's Contract Extension: A Game-Changer for Lions’ Offense

David Montgomery is the heartbeat of the Detroit Lions’ stellar rushing attack. He will continue to be a big factor for Detroit’s offense after he and the team agreed to a contract extension Saturday that will keep him a Lion through the 2027 season.

Montgomery, 27, signed a three-year contract in free agency ahead of the 2023 season. The team also drafted running back Jahmyr Gibbs a month later in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and the two have become arguably the best running back tandem in the NFL.

Strengthening the Backfield

With Gibbs under contract for two more seasons after this year and the option for a fifth year, Saturday’s extension for Montgomery solidifies Detroit’s backfield for years to come. Montgomery and Gibbs made history as the first teammates in NFL history to produce at least 1,000 scrimmage yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in the same season last year.

In his first season with the Lions in 2023 after coming over from division rival Chicago, Montgomery rushed for 1,015 yards (4.6 avg.) and 13 touchdowns, leading a Lions rushing attack that finished the regular season fifth in the NFL at an average of 135.9 yards per game.

Current Season Performance and Coach's Praise

Since joining the league in 2019, Montgomery ranks seventh in rushing yards and fourth in missed tackles forced. So far this season, he has rushed for 271 yards (4.3 avg.) with four touchdowns in four contests, maintaining a rushing touchdown streak across seven games.

“I mean this guy is unbelievable,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said of Montgomery after a standout performance against Seattle. “I would never not block for that guy, ever because the play is never over with him. He can will himself to make things happen, and he’s everything you want in a back.”