Dan Campbell's aggressive coaching decisions have often divided the NFL community, especially after critics blamed his fourth-down approach for costing the Detroit Lions a shot at the Super Bowl. 

But the former Detroit Lions running back, David Montgomery, feels otherwise. While making his appearance on the Deebo & Joe podcast, Montgomery made it clear that he never viewed Campbell's decisions as the reason Detroit fell short, instead crediting the coach for building the culture that transformed the Lions into a contender.

“Like the way that we got there and the way we gambled, we going to gamble all the way through,” he said. “...We trust Coach Campbell…So whatever decision that was made, we rocking out and we living with it.”

The host asked Montgomery about his thoughts on Campbell’s fourth-down approach that cost the Lions a historic second-half collapse during the 2023 NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers, turning a commanding 24-7 halftime lead into a 34-31 loss. 

“So we got into the same situation and we coaching how he coached we like let's get out let's own,” he said. “And it did it just happened didn't happen to work out for us.”

Instead of going with kicking field goals, Campbell chose to go on with the fourth-down approach twice in the second half. 

Although it cost the Lions their chance at the Lombardi Trophy, David Montgomery defended his coach and showed his complete faith.

It was not the first time he showed his faith in Campbell, even upon his trade, he was positive it was not his coach who decided to send him out.

Dan Campbell Receives Strong Backing From David Montgomery

It was not the only front where the former Lions star David Montgomery defended his coach, Dan Campbell. 

While talking on the Deebo & Joe podcast, Montgomery defended Campbell over getting traded out of the Detroit Lions, calling it “inevitable”. 

“Campbell, dope coach, you know, but you know, like when you start to you get a little older playing the game and like at a professional level and you start to kind of see how things unfold,” Montgomery said. “You got to meet get met with like a tough decision, and you know I was met with that, and it was inevitable that it was happening.”

Montgomery highlighted that it was the business side that got him traded out of the Lions. He also admitted the fact that it was difficult for everyone, especially for his coach, to let him go. 

"Love David Montgomery. He's a stud," Campbell said on Monday, via Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. "He's unbelievable. We had a conversation after [the season], and felt like this was something that was going to be good for both sides."

Even though he defended Campbell, he believed that the Lions would be his home until he lasts in the NFL. 

Now Montgomery is a Texan, and he is locked in for the upcoming 2026 NFL season.

Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker