{"id":22090,"date":"2026-03-03T03:05:27","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T03:05:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/maxx-crosby-trade-montgomery-texans\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T03:05:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T03:05:27","slug":"maxx-crosby-trade-montgomery-texans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/maxx-crosby-trade-montgomery-texans\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL news, live updates: Maxx Crosby trade rumors heat up; Khalil Mack to reportedly play in 2026; Lions trade RB David Montgomery to Texans &#8211; Yahoo Sports"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h2>Key takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>Maxx Crosby remains at the center of trade speculation; Sports Illustrated\u2019s Albert Breer said he would \u201clean toward a Maxx Crosby trade happening,\u201d with discussions potentially moving quickly this week.<\/li>\n<li>NFL Network\u2019s 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.<\/li>\n<li>The league\u2019s 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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h2>Main event<\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s \u201cSonic and Knuckles\u201d nickname, underlining the personal and locker-room ramifications of the move.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; implications<\/h2>\n<p>The Montgomery trade addresses a clear Texans roster need: an experienced, between-the-tackles runner who can complement Houston\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Khalil Mack signaling an intention to play in 2026 stabilizes a part of the veteran free-agent market. Mack\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Player<\/th>\n<th>2025 Games<\/th>\n<th>Sacks<\/th>\n<th>Tackles for Loss<\/th>\n<th>Forced Fumbles<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Maxx Crosby<\/td>\n<td>15<\/td>\n<td>10<\/td>\n<td>28<\/td>\n<td>\u2014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Khalil Mack<\/td>\n<td>12<\/td>\n<td>5.5<\/td>\n<td>\u2014<\/td>\n<td>4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Myles Garrett (league leader cited)<\/td>\n<td>\u2014<\/td>\n<td>\u2014<\/td>\n<td>33<\/td>\n<td>\u2014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The table aggregates the most-cited 2025 metrics reported in recent coverage: Crosby\u2019s 10 sacks and 28 tackles for loss, Mack\u2019s 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles, and Myles Garrett\u2019s 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\u2019s season value.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; quotes<\/h2>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;I expect Maxx Crosby to be with the team in 2026,&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Raiders GM John Spytek, speaking at the NFL combine<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Spytek\u2019s comment reflects the club\u2019s public baseline, but it did not end outside interest or insider speculation that a deal is possible.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d lean toward a Maxx Crosby trade happening, and maybe this week,&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Breer\u2019s framing increased market chatter and helped focus teams and agents on the short window before tampering and free agency.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Khalil Mack intends to play in 2026,&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Ian Rapoport, NFL Network<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Rapoport\u2019s report on Mack provided early certainty about one veteran\u2019s plans and will influence how teams allocate resources among available pass rushers.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer: Franchise tag and legal tampering<\/summary>\n<p>The franchise tag is a one-year, fully guaranteed mechanism teams use to retain an impending free agent for one season. Teams have until 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 3 to place a franchise tag on a single pending free agent. Tagged players and teams may still negotiate a long-term contract until 4:00 p.m. ET on July 15; absent a deal, the player plays the season on the tag. Legal tampering opens March 9 at 12:00 p.m. ET, allowing teams and agents to negotiate and agree in principle before contracts formally take effect at the start of the new league year.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>Whether Maxx Crosby will be traded this week remains unsettled; reporting suggests momentum but no single confirmed transaction as of March 2.<\/li>\n<li>Public reports about cap savings tied to an individual Chiefs move were inconsistent; final cap accounting and official team statements will clarify exact savings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom line<\/h2>\n<p>This week\u2019s reporting highlights how tightly packed the NFL\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/nfl\/live\/nfl-news-live-updates-maxx-crosby-trade-rumors-heat-up-khalil-mack-to-reportedly-play-in-2026-lions-trade-rb-david-montgomery-to-texans-173809618.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yahoo Sports<\/a> \u2014 (news outlet; primary live-updates feed)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfl.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NFL Network \/ NFL.com<\/a> \u2014 (league network reporting; Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sports Illustrated<\/a> \u2014 (sports media; Albert Breer)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ESPN<\/a> \u2014 (sports media; reporting on roster moves and contract terms)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbssports.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CBS Sports<\/a> \u2014 (sports media; reporting on veteran releases)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 &#8230; <a title=\"NFL news, live updates: Maxx Crosby trade rumors heat up; Khalil Mack to reportedly play in 2026; Lions trade RB David Montgomery to Texans &#8211; Yahoo Sports\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/maxx-crosby-trade-montgomery-texans\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about NFL news, live updates: Maxx Crosby trade rumors heat up; Khalil Mack to reportedly play in 2026; Lions trade RB David Montgomery to Texans &#8211; Yahoo Sports\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22087,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"NFL live updates: Crosby trade rumors, Mack to play, Montgomery deal \u2014 NewsLab","rank_math_description":"Live NFL updates: David Montgomery reportedly traded to Houston, Maxx Crosby trade rumors intensify, and Khalil Mack says he will play in 2026. Read key developments and analysis.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"Maxx Crosby, Khalil Mack, David Montgomery, Texans trade, NFL free agency","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22090","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22090","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22090"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22090\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22087"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22090"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22090"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22090"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}