An insider reveals how David Montgomery's arrival injects power and potential into the Texans' struggling run game, aiming for a significant offensive uplift.
Can one running back fix an NFL team's running game? That's the question the Houston Texans are looking to answer this offseason.
Houston started March with a bang quickly adding the talented David Montgomery via trade with the Detroit Lions in exchange for a draft pick this season and next season. And while some may have viewed the trade as perhaps too expensive for the Texans, without question the team improved from where it stood before the move.
One NFL analyst is looking at what the move means for the Texans. ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime discussed what it looks like Houston is trying to do in fixing the team's running game woes by adding the veteran player from the Lions.
"So far, the Houston Texans have tried to address the issue through trades and free agency to overhaul a run game (108.9 yards per game) that ranked 22nd last season and was tied for fourth worst at 3.9 yards per carry.
The work started via trade. Earlier this month, Houston traded starting offensive lineman Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round draft pick while acquiring running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions on the same day. To get the deal done, Houston sent a fourth-round pick, a 2027 seventh-round pick and 2023 second-round pick Juice Scruggs to the Lions."
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery watches drills during training camp. Kirthmon F. Dozier-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesWhile it's difficult to say one running back is able to turn a bad running game into a good one, there is reason to believe that Montgomery positively changes the trajectory of that part of the Texans offense. The veteran running back has proven to be a difference maker for all of his seven years in the league.
As Bien-Aime noted, Montgomery has rushed for over 6,000 yards and has 59 touchdown scores to add to his resume. That's a proven commodity at a running back position where the Texans before had a question mark. But how much can Montgomery improve the running game?
The former Lions and Chicago Bears running back adds stability. If the yards are there to be had, Montgomery is going to get them and maybe more.
There's something to be said for not leaving a positive gain on the field. Montgomery will help the rushing attack reach its potential with the blocking it has ahead of him. And really, that's all the Texans can ask for next season.
Houston may well still add another running back through the upcoming NFL draft. It would make sense to add another quality back to spot Montgomery. Even so, the Texans have done their part to make sure the running game is not a limiting factor in 2026.