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EspañolDetroit Lions trade David Montgomery to Houston Texans for draft pick
Sonic and Knuckles are no more.
The Detroit Lions traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans on Monday, March 2, a person with first-hand knowledge of the deal told the Free Press, less than a week after Lions general manager Brad Holmes said he would "love" to keep Montgomery in Detroit.
"Kind of want to put last year in the rearview and just move forward," Holmes said at the NFL combine last week in Indianapolis. "But obviously, a player has to want to be at a certain place as well. So those conversations are still fluid and we’ll just kind of see how it goes."
Montgomery was unhappy with his reduced role last season, when he had career-lows in rushing yards, attempts and total offensive touches while playing as the Lions' clear No. 2 running back behind Jahmyr Gibbs.
In 2023-24, Gibbs and Montgomery – nicknamed Sonic and Knuckles – formed one of the best 1-2 running back tandems in the NFL.
Montgomery, who turns 29 in June, is scheduled to make $6 million this fall in the first year of a two-year extension. The Lions save about $3.5 million in cap room with the trade, though they’ll have to use at least some of that savings to find a replacement.
The Lions do not have enough cap room or available playing time to be in the top of the running back market, but cost-effective options who could be available in free agency include Brian Robinson, Najee Harris and Arizona Cardinals running backs Michael Carter and Emari Demercado (a restricted free agent), both of whom played for new Lions offensive coordinator Petzing last season.
This story will be updated.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: David Montgomery traded from Detroit Lions to Houston Texans for pick
I(O)U: Cignetti’s Revised Indiana Deal to Pay Over $100M Guaranteed
The market has spoken for Curt Cignetti.
The University of Indiana has committed to pay its national championship-winning head football coach $105.6 million over the next eight seasons, according to a letter signed by athletic director Scott Dolson and released Monday.
Cignetti’s existing employment agreement called for a “good-faith market review” if IU reached the College Football Playoff semifinal—which it did in January on the way to winning its first national title in school history.
Under the revised deal, Cignetti will earn $13.025 million in guaranteed compensation this coming season, with annual raises of $50,000 through Nov. 30, 2033. Before incentives, that would make him the second-highest-paid coach in college football this year, behind Georgia’s Kirby Smart and just ahead of LSU’s Lane Kiffin.
Cignetti’s raise represents a roughly 54% increase from the $8.5 million guaranteed salary the coach was set to earn this year under the contract he signed back in November 2024. All other terms remain in effect.
As such, if Cignetti is fired without cause, Indiana must pay the full remaining guaranteed tab, based on a provision triggered once his team appeared in the Big Ten championship or College Football Playoff.
Should the Hoosiers replicate last season’s success, Cignetti would easily clear $15 million.
And if that’s not enough to get him through the week, the contract also includes a $25,000 annual courtesy car allowance, free meals at the athletic dining facility and unlimited family use of the Pfau Golf Course and driving range in Bloomingdale, Ind., “including green fees, cart fees and range balls.”
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Thunder adding Payton Sandfort on two-way contract
Shams Charania: The Oklahoma City Thunder are signing Payton Sandfort to a two-way NBA contract out of their OKC Blue G League affiliate, Ross Aroyo and Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tell ESPN. Sandfort joined the OKC program after being undrafted from Iowa last June.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Thunder adding Payton Sandfort on two-way contract
Seahawks 3-round 2026 NFL mock draft: Post NFL Combine edition
The Seattle Seahawks enjoyed a productive week at this year's NFL Scouting Combine. John Schneider and Mike Macdonald return from Indianapolis having gathered information for their approaches in free agency and the 2026 NFL draft. With the combine now officially in our rearview mirror, we've conducted a brand-new three-round Seahawks mock draft.
Round 1 (No. 32 overall): Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse has been connected to the Seahawks by analysts throughout the pre-draft process. Cisse had a good performance at the combine, leaping a 41 inch vertical and 10-foot-11 broad jump. The Gamecocks standout would be an excellent fit at cornerback in Mike Macdonald's defense.
Round 2 (No. 64 overall): Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
Schneider loves adding pass rushers. Boye Mafe is a pending free agent and probably isn't returning. The aging DeMarcus Lawrence could be entering his final season in Seattle, and Uchenna Nwosu's future isn't guaranteed, either. Schneider will want to restock the cupboard. Derrick Moore didn't participate at the NFL Combine, but he's an athletic pass rusher who broke out at Michigan in 2025.
Round 3 (No. 96 overall): Kage Casey, IOL, Boise State
Guard Anthony Bradford is entering a contract year. The Seahawks may think ahead and try to grab a replacement since it appears the Christian Haynes pick did not work out. Kage Casey looked smooth during on-field combine drills. Casey is making the position switch to guard despite playing offensive tackle at Boise State.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks 3-round 2026 NFL mock draft: Post NFL Combine edition