NFL Free Agency: David Montgomery signs 3-year, $18 million contract with Detroit Lions, stays in NFC North

Running back David Montgomery and the Detroit Lions have agreed to a deal in free agency, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. ESPN’s Adam Schefter added shortly thereafter that the deal is for three years and $18 million, with $11 million guaranteed.

A 2019 draftee out of Iowa State in the third round, Montgomery played his first four NFL seasons with the Chicago Bears, where he was consistently one of the more productive running backs in the league. Despite a lackluster offensive line, he managed to rush for 801 yards at a 4 yard-per-carry clip, to go with six touchdowns.

With the signing of Montgomery, the Lions are likely going to let 2022-23 rushing touchdowns leader Jamaal Williams — who became a fan favorite — walk in free agency. The Lions also have D’Andre Swift under contract for one more year.

More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2023 calendar year is set to begin at 4 p.m. ET on March 15 when contracts running through 2022 will officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7. Beginning March 13 through March 15 teams will be allowed a legal negotiation with players who are set to become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 21 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets while April 26 marks the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets. 722 players are slated to become free agents in 2023.

More on restricted, exclusive rights free agents

Players with only three years of accredited NFL experience become restricted free agents. Their original team will have the option to apply first-round, second-round, original-round, and right-of-fight-of-first-refusal tenders on players at escalating price tags. The higher the round, the more expensive the tender amount; however, if a separate team does offer a contract and the original team does not match that round pick will be conveyed from the new team to the original team. Right of first refusal only gives a team the option to match or not. If they don’t match, they get nothing in return. An original-round tender would send a draft pick from whatever round the player was drafted back to the original team if they chose not to match. The original team will have five days to match once a player signs an offer sheet from a new team.