Montgomery’s payday and the Lions backfield reality The Detroit Lions entered a quiet weekend, but one move from a former starter framed where the backfield stands. David Montgomery reached a two-year, $16.5 million deal with Houston, with $10 million guaranteed. His remaining guarantees in Detroit were under $5 million. He wanted more security and a bigger role. He found both. The calculus in Detroit changed because Jamir Gibbs is a superstar. Montgomery is 28. This is likely his last big contract. The money places him among the top running back salaries until a Gibbs extension, which is expected this offseason. He praised his time in Detroit and also celebrated the opportunity in Houston. The takeaway: the market confirmed why his role in Detroit was narrowing. Trenches in focus: tackle urgency and draft plan After Friday’s additions of Tyler Conklin and Roger McCreery, the Lions stood pat. The line conversation did not. There is hope that Juice Scruggs can emerge as the top reserve interior offensive lineman. That remains a competition. At tackle, a recent signing in the $5 million range sits between backup and starter money. If the season kicked today, he would be the starting left tackle. That is a concern. Coaching and scheme could help, especially after a rough Miami stint, but the need remains. Expect an offensive tackle with one of the first two draft picks. The other early target profiles as an edge rusher. Safety is possible as well. That board reflects both value and how the depth chart looks today. Slot, safety, and Rakestraw’s health update McCreery projects in the slot. Another newcomer, "Izzy," fits the super sub role across the defensive backfield that the staff values. Those pieces ease the urgency at outside corner. The belief here is that corner is not the priority early, with the top group for 2025 and 2026 effectively on the roster. Safety stays in play because of usage versatility. Over the weekend, Rakestraw addressed his status directly on Instagram: fully healthy, and healthy since December. That clarity matters for how the secondary snaps could stack when camp opens. Around the NFL and what’s next The NFL stayed mostly quiet, but one headline popped: the Chiefs acquired Justin Fields for a sixth-round pick. The Lions were not involved. Detroit’s focus shifts to the pro day circuit over the next couple weeks. The staff will be out in force. Eyes on offensive tackle and edge align with needs and draft positioning. If a Lions player or coach steps in front of a camera during the tour, you will hear it here. For now, Friday’s roster adds stand, Montgomery has his guaranteed money in Houston, and the draft board points straight at the trenches. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #ennisrakestraw #davidmontgomery #masonreiger #larryborom #nflfreeagency Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices