Texans Upgrade David Montgomery’s Contract After Trade, Rewarding New RB While Maintaining Value
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
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When the Houston Texans traded for running back David Montgomery earlier this week, it was clear the move was about more than simply adding another player to the roster.
Houston was acquiring a veteran runner expected to play a major role in the offense.
Shortly after the trade became official, the Texans made another move that signaled their commitment to their new backfield centerpiece.
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, the Texans and Montgomery agreed to a revised contract worth $16.5 million over two seasons that includes a $6.5 million signing bonus.
The reworked deal runs through the 2027 season.
Under the new structure, Montgomery will earn a fully guaranteed $1.5 million base salary in 2026 along with the signing bonus and up to $500,000 in per-game roster bonuses, bringing his potential Year 1 payout as high as $8.5 million.
In 2027, Montgomery will carry a $7.5 million salary with $2 million guaranteed, again with additional roster bonuses available.
The adjustment represents a modest upgrade from Montgomery’s previous deal, which carried an average annual value of roughly $7.5 million. The new contract increases his average annual value to $8.25 million per year.
Despite the increase, the deal remains extremely team-friendly.
Among NFL running backs, Montgomery’s new average annual value currently ranks around 17th in the league, making it one of the better value contracts at the position.
Texans Reward a Newly Acquired Player
Reworking the deal was not entirely unexpected.
Prior to the trade becoming official, Ian Rapoport reported that a contract adjustment for Montgomery could be coming and that it would likely land within a similar range.
Once Houston acquired Montgomery, the Texans were effectively bringing in a player they expected to play a major role in their offense. Adjusting the contract can help ensure that the player arrives satisfied with the situation and fully invested in the organization from the start.
From the Texans’ perspective, the increase in compensation is relatively small while the goodwill created with the player can be significant.
There is also a hypothetical element worth considering.
Had Montgomery reached free agency rather than being traded, it is reasonable to wonder whether his market value could have landed in a similar range — or possibly even slightly higher — given his production and physical running style.
While that scenario was unlikely this year, the contract Houston ultimately gave him falls well within the range many teams would likely have considered for a proven veteran runner.
A Familiar Move by Nick Caserio
This approach is not new for Texans general manager Nick Caserio.
Caserio has previously reworked contracts shortly after acquiring players via trade.
Two notable examples include deals involving Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs.
The Diggs situation in particular generated significant discussion among fans at the time.
Diggs still had multiple seasons remaining on what many viewed as a favorable contract.
However, Houston chose to redo the deal, increasing the average annual value and fully guaranteeing the salary for the upcoming season.
The move was widely interpreted as a way to ensure Diggs arrived in Houston comfortable with his contract situation while still giving the Texans flexibility if things did not work out long term.
Ultimately, Houston structured the contract in a way that kept the player happy while maintaining an exit point for the organization if necessary.
Montgomery’s new deal follows a similar philosophy, though the financial adjustment in this case is far less dramatic.
A Strong Value at Running Back
Even with the slight increase in salary, Montgomery’s contract still represents strong value for Houston.
The bump from $7.5 million to $8.25 million per year is modest relative to the current running back market, especially for a player with Montgomery’s production and physical play style.
His new deal remains outside the top tier of running back salaries while placing him comfortably within the mid-range of veteran starters.
For a player expected to take on a significant workload in the Texans’ offense, the contract allows Houston to reward the player without sacrificing cap flexibility.
Montgomery Ready for His Opportunity in Houston
Montgomery has made it clear that he is eager for the opportunity ahead.
During a virtual press conference with Houston media, the veteran running back expressed excitement about joining the Texans and the challenge of competing with one of the league’s toughest teams.
Montgomery said Houston was a destination he wanted to land in after experiencing the Texans firsthand during joint practices in recent seasons.
He noted that those practices left an impression on him and that he is excited to now be part of the same organization.
Montgomery also addressed how he is often labeled as strictly a power runner. While he embraces the physical aspect of his game, he believes there are additional elements to his skill set that fans have not fully seen yet.
Rather than talk about those abilities, Montgomery emphasized that he prefers to demonstrate them on the field.
Texans Backfield Moving Forward
Montgomery now enters Houston expected to serve as the primary runner in the Texans’ backfield.
The trade comes after the departure of former Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon, creating an opportunity for Montgomery to step into a major role.
He is expected to form a backfield pairing with rookie running back Woody Marks, giving the Texans a combination of power and versatility.
During his time with the Detroit Lions, Montgomery was often part of a two-back system alongside explosive runner Jahmyr Gibbs. The pairing became known among fans as “Sonic and Knuckles,” with Montgomery providing the physical interior running style.
Houston appears prepared to utilize many of the same strengths in its own offense.
A Small Adjustment With a Bigger Message
In the end, the Texans’ decision to revise Montgomery’s contract reflects a broader organizational philosophy.
The team rewarded a newly acquired player, maintained strong contract value, and slightly adjusted the cap structure in the process.
For Houston, the move signals confidence in Montgomery while continuing a trend under Caserio of building relationships with players immediately after bringing them into the organization.
And for Montgomery, the message is clear.
The Texans didn’t just trade for him.
They believe he can be a major part of what comes next.
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