Why Lions and Texans agreed to trade for running back David Montgomery — and more

Why Lions and Texans agreed to trade for running back David Montgomery originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Detroit Lions and Houston Texans have reportedly agreed to a trade.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Lions are sending running back David Montgomery to the Texans in exchange for a fifth-round pick.

"Trade: Lions are sending RB David Montgomery to the Texans for a 5th-round pick, per sources," Schefter reported.

Montgomery was widely viewed as a trade candidate going into the offseason, and now a trade has come to fruition.

Why Lions, Texans trade happened

A recent report suggested Montgomery wanted out of Detroit.

Montgomery saw his role decrease behind Jahmyr Gibbs last season and was clearly not thrilled with that arrangement, which led to general manager Brad Holmes admitting that Montgomery could get moved in 2026.

"Those are discussions that we're going to have a lot more in depth, in terms of, like, what is the best plan for him going forward? Is it somewhere else, or whatever the case be?" Holmes said.

As for the Texans, they are almost certainly going to cut veteran Joe Mixon, who missed all of last season with a foot injury.

Houston needed a veteran starter at the top of the depth chart to complement Woody Marks and Jawhar Jordan. Montgomery checks that box.

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New York needs a more consistent summer.

The Ravens have said all the right things about their commitment to Tyler Linderbaum, and GM Eric DeCosta added some intrigue to the negotiations. Linderbaum had his fifth-year option denied and will test free agency. There has been some talk that Baltimore may not step up to the plate with a lucrative offer. DeCosta dismissed those reports, telling the media at the NFL Scouting Combine that the team has made a "market-setting" offer to the Pro Bowl center.

DeCosta's comments about an offer come days before the new league year, and according to ESPN's Dan Graziano, that offer still may not be enough.

According to reports, Linderbaum is expected to receive offers that exceed $20 million per season, easily making him the highest-paid center in NFL history.

Meanwhile, the Ravens hope they can keep free agent center Tyler Linderbaum. But plenty of people in Indy believe he will get offers that exceed $20 million per year, and that Baltimore won't want to go that high. The highest-paid center in the league is Kansas City's Creed Humphrey at $18 million per year, and while GM Eric DeCosta told reporters at the combine that the Ravens had made a "market-setting offer" for Linderbaum, that might not turn out to be enough. Baltimore is already looking out for upgrades at guard (it would not be a surprise to see it address that position in the first round of the draft) and now could need a new center.

Linderbaum, the team's top pending free agent, said he "absolutely" wants to return. The Ravens did not pick up his fifth-year option last offseason, but he still could return on a deal that puts him in the top five highest-paid centers.

A 2022 first-round pick out of Iowa (25th overall), Lnderbaum has been named to the Pro Bowl three times, and how he views the Ravens will be something to watch with March 9 approaching. In 2025, Linderbaum remained one of the best run-blocking centers in the NFL. His 83.1 PFF run-blocking grade ranked fourth at the position.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: NFL Free Agency: Tyler Linderbaum could exceed $20 million per year