After David Montgomery Trade to Texans, Jahmyr Gibbs Posts Heartbreaking Sonic & Knuckles Pic

David Montgomery has been growing disgruntled over his lack of touches as Jahmyr Gibbs became the Detroit Lions' lead running back.

After David Montgomery Trade to Texans, Jahmyr Gibbs Posts Heartbreaking Sonic & Knuckles Pic

Knuckles, David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Sonic (Image via Gunambu/X)

In Short
  • Jahmyr Gibbs expressed his sadness over David Montgomery's trade to the Texans by posting a poignant image of Sonic and Knuckles.
  • The Lions traded Montgomery for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and two draft picks to address salary cap issues.
  • Montgomery's departure is expected to impact the Lions' locker room dynamics and leadership, as noted by teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined were the ‘two-headed monster’ in Dan Campbell‘s system that helped the Detroit Lions surge to become one of the better teams in the league.

In their three-year collaboration, Gibbs’ speed and Montgomery’s strength earned the duo the nicknames Sonic and Knuckles. That combination was one of the reasons teams had a hard time containing the Lions’ run game.

The franchise leaned on the duo on its way to the NFC Championship in 2024. Then, in 2025, injuries to several players, particularly on the defensive side, saw the Lions exit the playoffs in the Divisional round.

This season, they could not even reach the postseason and wound up fourth in the NFC North. After such a disappointing campaign, and with a salary cap headache on their heads, some players had to go.

Montgomery reportedly asked for a trade earlier, after growing disgruntled with his dipping production as Gibbs surged as the lead running back. Since he is just 28, he felt he needed to do more to earn one last major contract.

Jahmyr Gibbs' Sonic & Knuckles Post
Jahmyr Gibbs’ Sonic & Knuckles Post (Image via SS/IG)

Eventually, the Lions sent the Iowa State star to the Houston Texans in exchange for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, a fourth, and a seventh-round pick. After the trade was made official, naturally, Jahmyr Gibbs had to react.

Jahmyr Gibbs' Sonic & Knuckles Post 2
Jahmyr Gibbs’ Sonic & Knuckles Post 2 (Image via SS/IG)

He posted a picture of Sonic and Knuckles on his Instagram page, albeit with both of them turning away from each other, with tears rolling out of their eyes. He posted another picture of the cartoon duo with the caption, “So long, my friend.”

Amon-Ra St. Brown posts heartfelt reaction to David Montgomery trade

Jahmyr Gibbs’ reaction to the trade news is palpable, as together, he and David Montgomery had created what was the NFL’s most dynamic and explosive running back tandem.

David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Amon-Ra St. Brown during happier times
David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Amon-Ra St. Brown during happier times (Image via ESPN Insights/X)

The hope was that the two could continue dominating every game and push the Detroit Lions to do something they have not done in the 60 years after the AFL-NFL merger, and that is to win a Super Bowl.

Now that the run is over, it is natural that the franchise will lean more on Gibbs to fuel their running game, and Montgomery will be doing the same with the Texans, as he could be their de facto No. 1 running back.

But more than the numbers, losing the 5’11” star is going to impact the locker room, and star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s reaction summed up what he felt.

Amon-Ra St. Brown's post
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s post (Image via SS/IG)

He reposted Ian Rapoport and the NFL’s news of the trade, and a broken heart as a caption. This could also be an indication of how the rest of the offense felt, as David Montgomery’s leadership was one of their vital assets.

Lions move on from starting center after David Montgomery trade

When sending David Montgomery to the Houston Texans, the Detroit Lions ensured they received a young offensive lineman along with the two draft picks. Those two selections will be helpful to bring in younger, cheaper prospects this year and next, as the franchise works hard to optimize its cap space.

The offensive lineman coming in is 26-year-old center Juice Scruggs. As soon as this trade was ratified, the Lions released starting center Graham Glasgow.

Not only does this move get them seven years younger at the center position, but it also helps them save $5.5 million in cap space. After these moves, the franchise is still left with nearly $4 million in the red.

That could spur some more trades and moves that could open up enough space for them to sign any free agent they want. Otherwise, these moves could be them just optimizing their squad to see if they can continue being successful this coming season.

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