Houston Texans running backs coach Danny Barrett believes newly acquired rusher David Montgomery will have a heavy workload for the 2026 season.
"He's a three-down back," Barrett told KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson. "He can do it all. It first starts with his mentality. He comes to work every day, same guy every day. How can I get better? The first meeting we had, we talked about how we can get better. He wants to be the best."
Montgomery is entering his first season in Houston after the club acquired him from the Detroit Lions for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and fourth- and seventh-round picks. He immediately reworked his contract and signed a new two-year, $16.5-million deal that includes $10 million in guarantees.
The 29-year-old spent the last three seasons in Detroit, forming part of the running-back duo nicknamed "Sonic and Knuckles" with Jahmyr Gibbs. The pairing helped Detroit rank second in rushing touchdowns and fourth in rushing yards since the 2023 campaign.
However, Montgomery's usage dwindled last season, as he recorded a career-low 158 rushing attempts. He also posted only 24 receptions for 192 yards and played just 85 offensive snaps on third down, according to TruMedia.
The Texans are hoping Montgomery can boost a rushing attack that struggled across the previous campaign, finishing 30th in EPA/rush and 29th in yards per carry. Woody Marks, who Houston drafted in the fourth round in 2025, led the team in rushing attempts (196) and rushing yards (703) as a rookie.
"I'm very excited," Marks said of Montgomery joining the team. "Just looking back at the clips with him and Jahmyr Gibbs, it looked like they was having so much fun out there.
"When the running back room doing good and everybody blocking, it's a party in the running back room. So, we're looking to have that same joy him and Jahmyr Gibbs had, bringing it down here in Houston."
Montgomery ranks sixth in rushing touchdowns (59) and seventh in rushing yards (6,115) since entering the league as a third-round pick in 2019.
