Lions’ Gibbs and Montgomery Poised for Historic Backfield
Gibbs Chasing Rookie Record
Detroit Lions running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are poised to make history together this season. Gibbs, a rookie, is on the verge of breaking the NFL record for most rushing yards by a first-year player, while Montgomery is eyeing a milestone of his own.
Gibbs, a standout at Alabama last season, has impressed in his first NFL preseason. In three games, he has rushed for 215 yards on 34 carries, averaging 6.3 yards per attempt. If he maintains this pace, he could surpass Saquon Barkley’s rookie record of 1,307 yards set in 2018.
“Jahmyr has a unique combination of speed and elusiveness,” Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said. “He’s shown the ability to make defenders miss and create big plays.”
Montgomery Nearing 1,000-Yard Mark
Montgomery, a veteran running back acquired from the Chicago Bears in the offseason, is closing in on a 1,000-yard season for the first time in his career. The 26-year-old has rushed for 352 yards in his first three preseason games, putting him on pace to reach the milestone in just 14 games.
“David is a workhorse,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. “He’s a physical runner who can also catch the ball out of the backfield.”
Dynamic Duo
Together, Gibbs and Montgomery form a formidable backfield combination for the Lions. Gibbs provides the explosiveness and speed, while Montgomery offers the power and consistency.
“We complement each other perfectly,” Gibbs said. “David can soften up the defense, and then I can come in and make some plays.”
Lions’ High Hopes
The Lions are counting on Gibbs and Montgomery to help them improve on their 3-13-1 record from last season. The running game is expected to be a key part of the offense, led by the dynamic duo in the backfield.
“We have a lot of potential on this team,” Montgomery said. “With Jahmyr and I leading the way, we can be a force to be reckoned with.”
The Lions will open their regular season on September 11th against the Philadelphia Eagles.
