The Houston Texans have faced challenges in maintaining consistency in their rushing game. Since Lamar Miller’s consecutive leading performances from 2016 to 2018, no single player has led the team in rushing yards for consecutive seasons. Notable names include Carlos Hyde, David Johnson, Rex Burkhead, Dameon Pierce, Devin Singletary, Joe Mixon, and Woody Marks. Their contributions have varied, but none have emerged as a long-term solution.
Houston’s general manager, Nick Caserio, has opted for a strategy of rotating various players, including cast-offs and veterans, in the running back position. This approach, however, hasn’t yielded the desired stability or success. There’s speculation if Caserio has finally found a viable long-term option in running back David Montgomery for the 2026 season.
RB David Montgomery
Height: 5′ 11”
Weight: 230 lbs
Age: 29
Contract: 2 years, $16.5 million
2025 Stats: 17 games, 158 rushes, 716 rush yards, 8 touchdowns
Montgomery stands out compared to previous players due to his performance and potential. His capabilities suggest that given sufficient carries, he could exceed 1,000 yards annually. Despite sharing carries with Jahmyr Gibbs on the Detroit Lions, Montgomery achieved impressive statistics, ranking No. 31 in total carries, No. 22 in yards per attempt, and No. 17 in rushing touchdowns. His performance hints at top-five rankings in touchdowns over recent seasons.
Questions arise regarding Montgomery’s ability to maintain his performance without Gibbs and within a flawed offensive structure. The Texans seem optimistic, having acquired Montgomery via trade and promptly restructured his contract for two years. The coming seasons will reveal whether Montgomery can fulfill the Texans’ expectations as they invest in his potential.
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