The 2026 NFL offseason accelerated after the league combine as teams positioned ahead of the legal tampering window and free-agency period. On Monday, March 2, reports said the Detroit Lions agreed to trade veteran running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans while trade talk intensified around Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. Separately, NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport indicated Khalil Mack intends to play in 2026. The week also featured roster moves and salary-cap maneuvers as clubs prepare for the new league year and the March 9 legal tampering start and March 12 opening of free agency.
Key takeaways
- The Detroit Lions reportedly traded RB David Montgomery to the Houston Texans in a deal that multiple outlets tied to offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and mid-round 2026 draft picks; some reports list a fourth- and seventh-round pick while another reported a fourth- and sixth-round pick.
- Maxx Crosby remains at the center of trade speculation; Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said he would “lean toward a Maxx Crosby trade happening,” with discussions potentially moving quickly this week.
- NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported edge rusher Khalil Mack plans to play in 2026; Mack posted 32 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles over 12 games in 2025.
- The league’s legal tampering period begins Monday, March 9 at 12:00 p.m. ET and the official free agency window opens March 12; the franchise-tag deadline is Tuesday, March 3 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
- The NFL salary cap for 2026 is set at $301.2 million per club; teams are already clearing space via trades, releases and restructures, with multiple veterans expected to be released in the coming days.
- Two high-profile offensive players have been franchised so far: TE Kyle Pitts and WR George Pickens, each protecting a pending free agent from hitting open market offers immediately.
- Other moves reported Monday included the Texans trading right tackle Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns, with Cleveland agreeing to a three-year, $63 million extension.
Background
The NFL calendar concentrates player movement in a tight window each spring. The league combine and pre-tampering reporting frequently accelerate deals and rumors because teams and agents use the period to gauge market interest and to finalize contract architecture ahead of the new league year. With the legal tampering window starting March 9 and free agency opening March 12, front offices are balancing immediate depth needs with long-term cap planning.
Salary-cap mechanics, the franchise tag and roster-clearing moves are the main levers teams use to reconfigure. The 2026 cap is fixed at $301.2 million per club, which forces many teams to decide on veterans to retain, restructure or release. Clubs also use trades to move salary or acquire draft capital, particularly when competing roster needs are time-sensitive.
Main event
On March 2 multiple outlets reported Detroit agreed to send David Montgomery to Houston. The most frequently cited version of the deal lists offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and a 2026 fourth-round pick plus a 2026 seventh-round pick heading to Detroit; an earlier account cited a fourth- and sixth-round pick. The trade will not be official until the new league year begins on March 11.
David Montgomery spent three productive seasons with the Lions after signing in 2023; Detroit and Montgomery had previously denied public reports that he sought a departure. Within hours of the report, Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs posted a social-media image referencing the duo’s “Sonic and Knuckles” nickname, underlining the personal and locker-room ramifications of the move.
The Texans also moved on their right tackle situation, sending Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns, who then signed him to a three-year, $63 million deal. Cleveland’s move was framed as protection for whichever quarterback the team ultimately names as its starter for 2026. Separately, the Chiefs are reported to be weighing decisions on Jawaan Taylor as part of a cap cleanup process.
Analysis & implications
The Montgomery trade addresses a clear Texans roster need: an experienced, between-the-tackles runner who can complement Houston’s scheme. For the Lions, the deal adds draft capital and an offensive lineman in Scruggs as they weigh cap and depth priorities. If the reported pick compensation is a fourth-plus a later round, that suggests Detroit prioritized cost savings and positional depth over retaining a veteran in a committee backfield.
Maxx Crosby trade speculation matters because Crosby is a rare, high-impact defender under contract who can shift a pass rush profile immediately. A trade would be a consequential roster shake for the Raiders and would create ripple effects across teams seeking edge rushers. If a deal materializes this week, contenders will need to assess long-term cost versus short-term win-now value.
Khalil Mack signaling an intention to play in 2026 stabilizes a part of the veteran free-agent market. Mack’s 2025 production (5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles) and durability questions will shape whether teams view him as a short-term rotational upgrade or a candidate for a multi-year role. His decision also tempers supply in a market where proven interior and edge playmakers are in demand.
Comparison & data
| Player | 2025 Games | Sacks | Tackles for Loss | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxx Crosby | 15 | 10 | 28 | — |
| Khalil Mack | 12 | 5.5 | — | 4 |
| Myles Garrett (league leader cited) | — | — | 33 | — |
The table aggregates the most-cited 2025 metrics reported in recent coverage: Crosby’s 10 sacks and 28 tackles for loss, Mack’s 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles, and Myles Garrett’s league-leading 33 tackles for loss figure. These snapshots show how teams evaluate pass-rush impact beyond sacks alone, focusing on tackles for loss and turnovers when projecting a player’s season value.
Reactions & quotes
“I expect Maxx Crosby to be with the team in 2026,”
Raiders GM John Spytek, speaking at the NFL combine
Spytek’s comment reflects the club’s public baseline, but it did not end outside interest or insider speculation that a deal is possible.
“I’d lean toward a Maxx Crosby trade happening, and maybe this week,”
Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated
Breer’s framing increased market chatter and helped focus teams and agents on the short window before tampering and free agency.
“Khalil Mack intends to play in 2026,”
Ian Rapoport, NFL Network
Rapoport’s report on Mack provided early certainty about one veteran’s plans and will influence how teams allocate resources among available pass rushers.
Unconfirmed
- Exact pick compensation in the Montgomery trade: outlets disagreed on whether Detroit received a fourth- and sixth-round pick or a fourth- and seventh-round pick in addition to Juice Scruggs; official confirmation awaits the transaction filing when the new league year begins.
- Whether Maxx Crosby will be traded this week remains unsettled; reporting suggests momentum but no single confirmed transaction as of March 2.
- Public reports about cap savings tied to an individual Chiefs move were inconsistent; final cap accounting and official team statements will clarify exact savings.
Bottom line
This week’s reporting highlights how tightly packed the NFL’s spring calendar is: a few headline trades, franchise-tag decisions and waves of veteran releases can reshape rosters before free agency formally opens. The Montgomery trade, once finalized, signals how a mid-tier team like the Texans is prioritizing established offensive contributors while the Lions opt for draft capital and roster flexibility.
At the same time, the possible movement of elite defenders such as Maxx Crosby and the confirmation that Khalil Mack plans to play in 2026 will alter demand for pass rushers across the market. With legal tampering and the free-agency window imminent, expect more rapid developments and frequent updates as teams adjust plans in real time.
Sources
- Yahoo Sports — (news outlet; primary live-updates feed)
- NFL Network / NFL.com — (league network reporting; Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero)
- Sports Illustrated — (sports media; Albert Breer)
- ESPN — (sports media; reporting on roster moves and contract terms)
- CBS Sports — (sports media; reporting on veteran releases)