The Detroit Lions Have the NFL’s Most Dominant Running Back Duo in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery — And It’s Not Close

The Detroit Lions are no longer chasing relevancy—they’re defining it. For years, the franchise was known more for heartbreak than headlines, but as the 2025 season approaches, the Motor City has more horsepower than ever, especially in the backfield. According to Pro Football Focus and just about anyone watching with a pair of eyes, the Lions possess the most complete, versatile, and downright dangerous running back duo in the entire NFL: Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.

And it’s not particularly close.

Detroit’s backfield is a perfectly balanced symphony of speed and strength, finesse and force, lightning and thunder. Gibbs, the former first-round pick out of Alabama, has blossomed into one of the league’s most electric playmakers. Montgomery, acquired from the Chicago Bears in free agency, remains a bruising, physical force with the mentality of a closer and the reliability of a metronome. Together, they embody everything a modern NFL team dreams of in a ground game—explosiveness, consistency, pass-catching, short-yardage conversion, and red zone dominance.

It didn’t take long for this tandem to gain traction. In 2023, Gibbs and Montgomery combined for over 2,300 yards from scrimmage and 24 touchdowns—an output that not only powered the Lions to the NFC Championship Game, but also solidified Detroit’s identity under head coach Dan Campbell: tough, physical, fast, and fearless.

Gibbs is the type of back who makes defenders look like they’re standing in cement. His 4.3 speed pops off the screen every Sunday, and his ability to turn a dump-off into a 50-yard highlight reel clip is second to none. But what makes him special isn’t just his top-end speed—it’s his short-area quickness, his balance through contact, and his improved patience behind a dominant Detroit offensive line. He’s equally comfortable running inside zone as he is bouncing outside, and his hands make him one of the most dangerous receiving backs in the game today.

On the other side of the tandem, Montgomery brings the pain. He’s the hammer to Gibbs’ scalpel. Montgomery is the type of back you hand the ball to when everyone in the stadium knows it’s coming—and he still gets the first down. He doesn’t avoid contact; he invites it. And with his low center of gravity, vision in tight spaces, and elite balance, he’s become Detroit’s go-to guy in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Defenders leave games sore after trying to tackle him for four quarters.

But the magic of this pairing goes beyond statistics or highlight tapes. It’s in how they complement each other, how their skill sets mesh in perfect harmony. When Gibbs is on the field, defenses are stretched horizontally and vertically. Safeties creep up, linebackers hesitate, and coordinators panic. When Montgomery checks in, the defense braces for attrition. He wears down defensive fronts. By the fourth quarter, linebackers are slower to fill, and arm tackles become futile.

This one-two punch has changed how the Lions play offense. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has done a masterful job designing a scheme that uses both backs to their full potential—often on the field together, with pre-snap motion, mismatches, and misdirection wreaking havoc on opposing defenses. Gibbs can line up in the slot or motion out wide, forcing linebackers into impossible coverage situations. Meanwhile, Montgomery keeps the offense on schedule, turning 2nd-and-8 into 3rd-and-2 with metronomic efficiency.

Their presence also makes life significantly easier for quarterback Jared Goff. The threat of the run opens up play action, the screen game, and the quick-passing attack. Defensive linemen can’t pin their ears back and rush, because they’re constantly worried about draw plays or swing passes to Gibbs. Goff, playing some of the best football of his career, has found in this backfield a dependable safety net—and occasionally, an explosive game-changer.

The synergy in Detroit’s backfield also speaks volumes about the Lions’ front office vision. General manager Brad Holmes took a bold step drafting Gibbs in the first round in 2023, despite already having secured Montgomery in free agency. Some scoffed at the redundancy. Now, those same critics are quietly rewriting their takes. Holmes didn’t just build depth—he built a weaponized platoon, one that gives Detroit a unique edge in a league that often undervalues the running back position.

And let’s not forget the foundation this tandem operates behind: arguably the best offensive line in football. Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow, Taylor Decker, and the rest of Detroit’s trenches allow this duo to thrive. Gibbs finds clean creases. Montgomery powers through untouched into the second level. The offensive line deserves its share of the credit, but these backs maximize every inch they’re given.

So why isn’t it close? Simply put, no other backfield in the NFL combines youth, versatility, production, and explosiveness like Gibbs and Montgomery.

Let’s compare.

In Green Bay, Josh Jacobs is a workhorse, but who’s his complement? In Cleveland, Nick Chubb is elite, but he’s coming off a brutal injury and lacks a clear-cut partner. Miami’s Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane are explosive, sure, but neither has Montgomery’s physicality or Gibbs’ route-running. Dallas is searching for a bell-cow. Philadelphia has a committee. San Francisco is Christian McCaffrey or bust.

No other team has two backs that could both start for almost any other team in the league—and that’s the Lions’ luxury. Detroit can ride the hot hand, preserve freshness, exploit matchups, and adapt to any game script. Gibbs might dominate one week with 8 catches and a 60-yard touchdown run. Montgomery might bulldoze his way to 120 yards and two scores the next. Defenses can prepare, but they can’t eliminate both threats. That’s what makes this duo elite.

It’s also a cultural fit. Montgomery has fully embraced Detroit’s gritty mentality. He’s not flashy—he’s fundamental, and proud of it. Gibbs, a Georgia native and former SEC star, has brought his swagger and speed to the cold streets of Michigan with joy and intensity. Both players are beloved in the locker room. Neither has an ego. They share touches, drive each other, and celebrate each other’s success.

And most importantly: they win. That’s what the Lions are doing now, and this backfield is a huge reason why.

For decades, Detroit fans have waited for a reason to believe—something more than hype, more than a draft pick, more than a good September. They finally have it. And in Gibbs and Montgomery, they have a backfield that could be remembered for years to come, especially if this team continues its ascent toward Super Bowl contention.

The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, no doubt. But don’t let that fool you—running backs still matter when they’re this good. When they can score from anywhere. When they can salt games away in the fourth quarter. When they can break ankles and break wills on the same drive. That’s what Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery bring to the table. They’re not just running backs—they’re difference makers, tone setters, and culture carriers.

The Motor City is running with power and speed now—and it’s not slowing down anytime soon.