David Montgomery Breaks Silence on Reduced Role With Detroit Lions

 

David Montgomery Joker Celebration David Montgomery Thanks Bengals David Montgomery reduced role with Detroit Lions

If anyone was expecting David Montgomery to sound bitter about his reduced role in the Detroit Lions’ offense, they’re going to be disappointed, because that’s not who he is.

 

Montgomery, who has seen his workload dip this season as Jahmyr Gibbs has emerged as the featured back, finally addressed the situation this week. And instead of frustration, excuses, or finger-pointing, Montgomery delivered something much more on-brand: accountability, patience, and professionalism.

 

 

David Montgomery Joker Celebration David Montgomery Thanks Bengals David Montgomery reduced role with Detroit Lions

“Whenever It’s Time for Me to Go, It’s Time for Me to Go”

Montgomery made it clear he still believes in himself, even if the opportunities haven’t been as frequent.

 

“Yeah, I mean, I’m always confident in myself, but yeah, I know what I can do, everybody know what I can do, too,” Montgomery said as quoted by the Detroit Free Press. “And again, whenever it’s time for me to go, it’s time for me to go, time for me to ball out.”

 

 

That confidence hasn’t wavered, even as his carries and snap count have declined. Montgomery hasn’t started a game this season and hasn’t topped eight carries in over a month, a sharp contrast from his workload in previous years.

 

Still, he isn’t making it about touches.

 

 

Owning the Moment, Not Complaining About It

When asked directly about how he feels regarding his role, Montgomery didn’t sugarcoat things, but he didn’t deflect either.

 

“I just do my job. That’s not up to me. Whenever my name is called and my number’s called, I got to just be ready. I got to play better. I haven’t been playing good enough to even be out there, so I just got to, whenever my number’s called, I got to be ready for it.”

 

That line says everything. Instead of blaming usage, Montgomery put the focus squarely on himself, a mindset that explains why he’s respected inside the locker room.

 

Understanding the Reality of a Loaded Offense

Montgomery also acknowledged the challenge of fitting everyone into an offense stacked with playmakers.

 

“It’s tough when you got somebody as special as Jahmyr and you got Saint, you got Jamo. It’s playmakers all over the field, so that’s a tough job for a coach to try to get the ball in the hands of his playmakers.”

 

Rather than viewing the situation as a slight, Montgomery sees it as the reality of a talented roster — and something he has to navigate as a professional.

 

“Again, it goes back to me just being ready for whenever my number’s called and just keep earning whatever I can.”

 

‘Stay the Course’ Isn’t About Touches

After the Lions’ loss to the Rams, Montgomery posted a simple Instagram story: “Stay the course 5.” Some fans assumed it was a reaction to his limited role.

 

Montgomery shut that down quickly.

 

“I mean, we lost. Just telling myself, just to remind myself just stay in it, stay in the fight so we can get a chance of getting a run at this playoffs.”

 

No drama. No subtext. Just focus.

 

The Bottom Line

David Montgomery isn’t pouting. He isn’t asking out. And he isn’t letting a reduced role define him.

 

He’s staying ready, staying engaged, and staying professional, exactly the kind of presence a team fighting for a playoff spot needs in December.