04-08-2025
Dan Campbell loves flexibility of having Gibbs, Montgomery together in the Lions backfield
The Lions have one of, if not the best running back tandem in the NFL in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. The challenge, sometimes, is finding a way to get both on the field at the same time, given all the top players on Detroit's offense. But sometimes, that's not a challenge at all.
Head coach Dan Campbell was asked Sunday about the ability to use both together and how flexible it makes the Lions offense.
"I think you're getting another athlete. Speed and space, things of that nature," Campbell said. "That's one of the areas that you really can – you feel like maybe you can find an advantage there. I don't think you can live in those packages, but I do think they're a good changeup to have at times."
Campbell continued,
"And then to answer that question, really, it's about how far can – for example, Gibbs, if you're going to do that, and you want to do a lot more of it, how much can he really expand the route tree, concepts, scheme, all of that. Physically, he can do a lot of things, it's just about being about able to invest enough time to get all that stuff done with him. Because he's still got to get in the backfield, still got to get protections. The route side of the backfield now, we go outside, which we're working on. So, it's just kind of a balancing act with that. But there is a way to use it certainly when you've got the two horses we've got."
Campbell also discusses the different packages the Lions can use involving the two running backs.
"Those things, there is a place for it. And really, there's nothing new about Pony 21, I mean that's what we call it. It's been around for a while. Green Bay uses the heck out of it, they always have. (Packers Head Coach Matt) LaFleur's big into that stuff, and it is good. There is a good place for it. I think it's, 'What are you going to get? What kind of matchup are you going to get? Are they giving you base defense or are they giving you nickel defense? If so, what are you going to do out of that? What do you hang your hat on?' So, there's a place for it, it's just about finding the right balance of how much you use it, what are you going to do with it? How much are you going to put on Gibbs, but also what about David? Out of that package, what's good for him, too? That's why he's out there, too. We're working through all of that, it'll be good. It's pretty exciting, though."
Gibbs (250 carries) and Montgomery (185) combined for 435 rushing attempts last season for 2,187 yards with 28 rushing touchdowns. The Lions clearly figured out a way to utilize both backs in some capacity and that should only continue to grow in 2025. The Lions have quite the luxury with having two backs that complement each other so well, one of them being such a dynamic weapon in Gibbs. Defensive coordinators will be up all night trying to be Dr. Eggman and trying figure out how to stop Sonic and Knuckles.
