Lions’ David Montgomery Speaks Out on RB Jahmyr Gibbs: ‘I’m Following His Lead’

In the initial eight games of the Detroit Lions’ season, injuries prevented running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs from sharing the field together on multiple occasions. Even when they did play simultaneously, Gibbs, in the early stages, seemed to be in the process of grasping the team’s offensive strategies, resulting in a heavier reliance on Montgomery. However, in the second half of the season, the Lions have successfully unleashed their dual threat in the backfield.

During Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Montgomery and Gibbs showcased their combined prowess, accumulating 193 rushing yards. Montgomery, leading the charge with 116 yards, has been averaging a career-best 83.5 rushing yards per game this season. Despite his individual success, Montgomery attributes the team’s success to Gibbs, acknowledging that the latter took some time to acclimate but is now performing at a high level.

 

As of Week 11, the Lions rank fourth in the NFL in rushing yards and seventh in yards per carry. Montgomery, who served as Detroit’s lead back earlier in the season, has missed three games but remains a crucial part of the team’s rushing attack. Against the Chargers, both Montgomery and Gibbs split carries efficiently, with Montgomery even securing a 75-yard touchdown, resulting in an impressive average of 9.7 yards per carry.

Looking ahead, the expectation is that Montgomery and Gibbs will continue to share the workload, a prospect that Montgomery finds beneficial. He emphasizes the importance of having two strong backs for sustained success, expressing confidence in the team’s depth with a mention of the third back, Craig. Montgomery notes that he and Gibbs complement each other well and work seamlessly as a tandem.

Gibbs, in turn, appreciates the mentorship he receives from Montgomery, referring to him as a “big brother” who guided him since joining the team. Both running backs express satisfaction with their partnership, highlighting how well they complement each other on the field.

As the Lions gear up to face Montgomery’s former team, the Chicago Bears, on November 19, Montgomery remains focused on staying true to himself and not altering his approach. Despite the significance of facing his former team, Montgomery emphasizes the importance of being authentic and playing his style of football to secure a victory for the Lions. Montgomery had a successful stint with the Bears, accumulating over 3,600 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns in four seasons, with his standout year being 2020.