Ian Rapoport gets community noted for false David Montgomery trade details, doubles down on the ‘fifth-round value’

This brand of “stand by the report at all costs” journalism is exhausting. And apparently, even someone as respected as Ian Rapoport isn’t immune to it.

On Monday afternoon, Rapoport reported that the David Montgomery trade from Detroit to Houston would net the Lions a fifth-round pick. That was wrong. There wasn’t a fifth-rounder involved at all. Houston actually sent a fourth-round pick, offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, and a seventh-rounder in the deal.

But somehow, we’re still being told that equals “fifth-round value.”

At a certain point, just say you missed. It happens. Doubling down and massaging the math to make it fit the original report is where it starts to feel ridiculous.

Ian Rapoport getting community noted for doubling down on his original report

Update on terms: It's the #Texans fourth rounder, OL Juice Scruggs, and a 7th rounder for David Montgomery, per sources.

So, fifth-round value. But a complex deal. https://t.co/jG9nKIFmrL

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 2, 2026

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The community note on Ian Rapoport’s Tweet says it all: “In no way does a fourth-round pick, a seventh-round pick, and a player combine to a fifth-round value (the value of a singular fifth-round pick).”

Correct. It doesn’t.

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So why even attempt the spin? Why try to reframe it like the original report wasn’t flat-out wrong? It’s weird, but honestly, not surprising in today’s media landscape. Admitting you messed up feels like a cardinal sin for some of these bozos. The play is always the same: stick to the initial report at all costs, even when it’s clearly off.

At this point, I’m about to start saying, “So, fifth-round value,” every time I’m proven wrong about something. Just double down and hope everyone else gets confused. Seems to be the move.