Scottie

Montgomery

It’s Montgomery’s first interview of the cycle. The 47-year-old was interviewed for the Cowboys job last year and the Buccaneers job in 2023. He’s been with the Lions since 2023 as Dan Campbell’s assistant head coach.

This news comes shortly after it was announced that the team would be meeting for a second time with Cardinals OL coach Klayton Adams. Montgomery fits the bill for what the Cowboys are reportedly looking for in their next offensive coordinator — which is a coach who is tied to a successful rushing game. Under Montgomery, the Lions have had one of the top rushing attacks in the league in 2023 and 2024. As a team, the Lions averaged 146.4 rushing yards per game last season while punching in the second-most touchdowns on the ground (29). Montgomery becomes the latest candidate on a short list that includes Adams and Falcons TE coach Kevin Koger who could be primed to land the Cowboys’ OC job in the coming days.

Montgomery was signed by the Lions merely seven days ago before being brought in for an interview by the Buccaneers for their offensive coordinator position. He previously served as the running backs coach for the Colts and wide receivers coach for the Steelers, in addition to 15 years of college coaching experience. Montgomery marks the 10th interview during Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator hunt.

Montgomery has spent the last two seasons with the Colts and served as the offensive coordinator for the Maryland Terrapins before making the leap to the NFL. The Lions lost assistant head coach and running backs coach Duce Staley to Frank Reich in Carolina last week, paving the way for Montgomery to join Dan Campbell’s staff. Montgomery received two interviews last offseason from the Saints and Panthers to fill their offensive coordinator vacancies but ultimately remained in Indy. As Pelissero notes, Montgomery is a “strong and respected veteran” of the league, and one who “multiple teams have had interest in.” His hiring looks like yet another strong one for the up and coming Lions.

That’s Montgomery’s second interview this offseason for an OC position after he was also in play for the Panthers OC role before it went to Bob McAdoo. Montgomery has college OC experienced with Duke and Maryland, and obviously did a fine job with Jonathan Taylor in his first year as Colts running backs coach.

This was an in-person interview after the two sides met via Zoom previously. It’s a sign Montgomery is a serious candidate to replace Joe Brady. Montgomery is wrapping up his first season as the Colts’ RBs coach, helping guide Jonathan Taylor to a rushing title. He has previous college experience as an OC at Duke and Maryland. Montgomery also spent time on Mike Tomlin’s staff with the Steelers as WRs coach.