Lions reportedly trade veteran RB David Montgomery to Texans — and more

The Detroit Lions are trading veteran running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Monday. 

The Texans will send their 2026 fourth-round pick, offensive line Juice Scruggs and a seventh rounder for Montgomery, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

The news comes just one day after Montgomery denied reports that he "wanted out" of Detroit.

This breaking news story will be updated.

Sonic and Knuckles will not play together in 2026.

The Detroit Lions are reportedly trading running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans, as first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. In return, the Lions will get:

• Texans’ 4th-round pick
• OL Juice Scruggs
• Texans 7th-round pick

There was clearly some tension between Montgomery and the Lions after the 2025 season, in which Montgomery saw his usage decline with the rise of Jahmyr Gibbs. Just last week, Lions general manager Brad Holmes suggested that there were still 0ngoing talks between the Lions and Montgomery.

“Obviously, look, we love David. He’s a great player. We would love to have him. Kind of want to put last year in the rearview and just move forward. But a player has to want to be at a certain place as well, so those conversations are still fluid and we’re just kind of seeing how it goes,” Holmes said last week.

With the move, the Lions will clear up just north of $3.5 million in cap space, but now they have a significant need at the second running back position.

Chad Baker-Mazara controversy, explained: Why did USC abruptly dismiss leading scorer weeks before March Madness? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Just weeks before March Madness begins, the USC Trojans shared some significant college basketball news on Sunday.

USC announced that its leading scorer, Chad Baker-Mazara, was no longer a member of its program.

The guard, who transferred to the Trojans as the fifth team of his college career last offseason, left the floor with an injury against Nebraska on Sunday, then returned to the bench while sitting away from the rest of the team. 

Here's what's known about Baker-Mazara's abrupt dismissal from USC. 

MORE:Darryn Peterson's full timeline of Kansas missed games, benchings

What happened to Chad Baker-Mazara?

Baker-Mazara was dismissed from USC's men's basketball team on Sunday, March 1, the team announced.

"Chad Baker-Mazara is no longer a member of the USC Men's Basketball program," the team's statement read.

No details have yet been released as to why Baker-Mazara was dismissed. However, during Sunday's game against Nebraska, the guard left the game with an apparent injury early in the second half after a hard fall.

Head coach Eric Musselman said Baker-Mazara told him he "couldn't go" after the injury, per ESPN. When Baker-Mazara then returned to the bench area, he did not sit with the rest of the team; instead sitting near injured player Rodney Rice in an area with fans.

Musselman said Baker-Mazara was sitting next to fans because of a shortage of chairs on the bench, per ESPN.

Interesting part of Nebraska vs. USC game yesterday, Chad Baker-Mazara left the game with an injury briefly, came back out to the court but didn't sit on the main bench with the team rather courtside for the rest of the game.

Today, USC moves on from Baker-Mazara.⬇️ https://t.co/PQdAqQco8Ppic.twitter.com/RXt0syRiDE

— Chase Matteson (@ChaseMatteson) March 1, 2026

Why did Chad Baker-Mazara leave USC?

It is unknown whether Baker-Mazara chose to step away from the Trojans or if the team dismissed him. There have also not been any full details of the reasoning behind his departure.

According to ESPN, USC spokesperson Kristen Keller told The Associated Press in a text message: "We have nothing additional to add at this time."

According toRyan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times, a source said Baker-Mazara's dismissal "wasn't any one incident, but an accumulation of issues."

BENDER: Latest projections for 2026 NCAA Tournament Field of 68 

How old is Chad Baker-Mazara?

Baker-Mazara is 26 years old. He has been one of the oldest players across college basketball in the 2025-26 season.

He has been playing his sixth NCAA season at USC.

Where is Chad Baker-Mazara transferring to?

There are no known plans for Baker-Mazara to pursue another year at the collegiate level. In fact, should his dismissal from USC stand, the guard's NCAA career is likely over.

Chad Baker-Mazara college eligibility

Baker-Mazara, at the time, does not have any remaining collegiate eligibility. He had been playing this season due to the NCAA's temporary waiver that allowed student-athletes who previously suited up for a non-NCAA school to play a fourth season at an NCAA school. 

However, with Baker-Mazara using that final eligibility in 2025-26, his time in college basketball has likely concluded.

MORE: How the 2025 freshman class stacks up with the best ever

Chad Baker-Mazara college timeline

Baker-Mazara has had one of the longer collegiate careers of any active player, including stops at five different programs.

Duquesne, 2020-21

Baker-Mazara's collegiate career began at Duquesne, where he committed as a prospect out of Spire Academy (Ohio).

He appeared in 15 games and made 13 starts at the school as a freshman, averaging 9.5 points on 43.8 percent shooting.

San Diego State, 2021-22

After his freshman season, Baker-Mazara transferred to San Diego State for one year. 

In 2021-22, he averaged 6.4 points and 2.0 rebounds in 31 games, being named the Mountain West Sixth Player of the Year.

Northwest Florida State, 2022-23

Baker-Mazara entered the transfer portal for a third time in 2022, deciding to join Northwest Florida State, which is a junior college.

He averaged 15.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists for the Raiders in 2022-23.

Auburn, 2023-25

The furthest stability of Baker-Mazara's college career came at Auburn, where he transferred to after the 2022-23 season. He would spend two years playing for the Tigers.

Over two seasons, he started 43 games, averaging 11.2 points and 3.3 rebounds, and was a key member of the 2024-25 Auburn squad that won the SEC regular-season title and made a Final Four run.

After his two years at Auburn, Baker-Mazara had one year of eligibility remaining due to the NCAA's temporary waiver about playing for a non-NCAA school. 

USC, 2025-26

Baker-Mazara decided to use his final collegiate eligibility at USC this season. He has become the Trojans' leading scorer, averaging career highs in points, rebounds and assists per game.

A knee injury resulted in a few missed games for Baker-Mazara, but up until his dismissal, he was the Trojans' leading force as they hoped to earn an NCAA Tournament bid.

Chad Baker-Mazara 247

Baker-Mazara was not rated by 247Sports as a prospect coming out of high school. 

The 6-foot-7 guard/forward was, however, given a four-star rating while in the transfer portal in 2025 before he committed to USC.

Chad Baker-Mazara recruiting class

Baker-Mazara was originally a member of the 2020 recruiting class. His freshman season was played at Duquesne in 2020-21.

Other members of the 2020 recruiting class include well-established NBA stars like Jalen Green, Evan Mobley and Jonathan Kuminga. While Baker-Mazara remained in college, many of the other members in the class quickly went to the NBA.

In honor of Chad Baker Mazara’s collegiate career officially coming to an end, here were the Top 5 recruits in his class. pic.twitter.com/BDhExAvTmZ

— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) March 2, 2026

USC's chances of making March Madness

USC, which is now 18-11 this season, had been in a strong position to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023, but that has changed a bit.

The Trojans have lost five-straight games, and with two games remaining, they've been projected on the outside of the bubble. ESPN's latest bracketology has USC as one of the "first four out" teams.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of free agency next week, but the trade market is heating up just one week out, and the Bears have been a hot topic of conversation. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, wide receiver DJ Moore and quarterback Tyson Bagent have been mentioned as potential trade options for Chicago.

Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, who's entering the final year of his rookie contract, was reportedly garnering trade interest with teams inquiring about his availability. But Bears insider Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune clarified Dexter trade rumors, saying that Chicago has no intention of trading the former second-round defensive tackle.

"They're not taking (trade) calls on him," Biggs said on 104.3 The Score on Monday. "They're not making calls on him...I'm reporting nothing is happening on that... They've got two defensive tackles under contract, they're not looking to move one," Biggs said. "Gervon Dexter will be with the Bears next season."

Dexter, 24, started all 17 games with the Bears last season, where he totaled 44 tackles, including six tackles for loss, six sacks, 11 QB hits and two fumble recoveries.

Chicago's biggest need this offseason is defensive tackle, where Dexter and Jarrett are the only players under contract. There's uncertainty about their futures beyond 2026, with Dexter hitting free agency and Jarrett getting up there in age. But there's a bigger need for a short-term solution for 2026, which is why trading Dexter wouldn't make sense for the Bears. They need to add defensive tackles, not get rid of them.

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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears insider sets record straight about Gervon Dexter trade rumors

Yankees' win total predicted to drop for Blue Jays, Orioles, Red Sox reason originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Yankees were their own worst enemy last season. The AL East club went through its annual June swoon and watched the Toronto Blue Jays take over first place in the division. 

Toronto and New York finished with an identical 94-68 regular season record, but the Blue Jays' 8-5 head-to-head record against the Yankees gave them a running start to the ALDS. 

This offseason, the clubs in the AL East arguably got better, with the Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, and Boston Red Sox making impact free agency moves. With almost an identical roster led by superstar Aaron Judge, can the Yankees' regular-season record improve? 

Yankees predicted to win fewer than 94 games 

The Tampa Bay Rays may be a long shot to win the AL East title, but any one of the Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Orioles has a decent opportunity to do so. 

Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly predicts New York will lose more games this season than last, due to the highly competitive division it's in. 

"The Yankees won 94 games last season, which wasn't enough to win baseball's toughest division. The defending AL Champion Toronto Blue Jays arguably got better this offseason with the addition of Dylan Cease. Even after losing Alex Bregman, the Red Sox are still loaded with talent, particularly in the outfield and starting staff," Kelly wrote.

"The Tampa Bay Rays usually find a way to stay competitive, and won't have to play at a minor-league stadium this year. With the Baltimore Orioles making significant offseason improvements, it stands to reason the Yankees could win a few less games this year, even if they still contend for a playoff spot." 

One of the biggest questions the Yankees face is what level of production they will receive from Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon when they return to the rotation from injury. Luis Gil is just one year removed from a serious lat strain, and Cam Schlittler is already dealing with back stiffness. 

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