Summer just got louder. Avenged Sevenfold, Good Charlotte, and A Day To Remember are set to headline a massive one-off show at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, CA on August 30, promising a star-studded night of rock and punk energy. More supporting acts are still to be announced, adding to the anticipation.
For ticket access, Avenged Sevenfold detailed: “A7X & GC Rewards Members with Early Access TicketPass & DBC can unlock exclusive access to request tickets Tuesday from 10AM – 10PM PT. Artist email list pre-sale starts Thursday, March 19, at 10AM PT. General on sale is Friday, March 20, at 10AM PT.”
Ahead of the LA show, Avenged Sevenfold and Good Charlotte will be co-headlining a summer tour with dates across the US and Canada. Get your tickets here.
7/25 Ridgedale MO Thunder Ridge Nature Arena 7/27 Shakopee MN Mystic Lake Amphitheater 7/30 Tinley Park IL Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre 8/1 St Louis MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheater 8/4 Clarkston MI Pine Knob Music Theatre 8/6 Toronto ON RBC Amphitheatre 8/8 Montreal QC Bell Centre 8/10 Belmont Park NY UBS Arena 8/12 Mansfield MA Xfinity Center 8/14 Camden NJ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion 8/16 Charlotte NC PNC Music Pavilion 8/18 Tampa FL MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre 8/21 Dallas TX Dos Equis Pavilion 8/23 Denver CO Ball Arena 8/25 Salt Lake City UT Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre 8/27 Phoenix AZ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
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The United States men’s national team roster for the March international break has been announced, as the path to the World Cup is firmly in sight. During March, the USMNT will have true World Cup tests facing Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta, but during that time, they’ll have to do so without midfielder Tyler Adams, who suffered an injury keeping him out of Bournemouth’s match last weekend with Burnley. While the injury isn’t expected to be serious, Mauricio Pochettino has omitted him from the squad but did offer a big surprise.
After scoring for the USMNT against Paraguay in November, which was his first USMNT goal since March of 2024, Gio Reyna has made the cut despite only logging 26 Bundesliga minutes in 2026 for Borussia Monchengladbach. A talented attacking midfielder, Reyna will need to prove his fitness during this window, as it feels like he and Diego Luna are in competition for an attacking midfield spot alongside Malik Tillman.
With questions surrounding his future and whether he’ll represent Germany, Augsburg defender Noahkai Banks isn’t in the squad, while mainstays Haji Wright and Luna have missed out on the March window.
Reyna may be a talented player, but since he hasn’t played consistent first-team soccer since the 2020-21 season with Borussia Dortmund, there’s plenty to prove in this camp, as there’s a clear lack of attacking midfielders in the pool. Alex Zendejas is one who is performing well for Club America, but he’s also not in the squad despite scoring for the United States against Japan last year.
Center back is another position where all eyes will be on performances, as Pochettino’s shift to a back three is something that sparked their unbeaten end to 2025, and without Sergino Dest, there will be shifts to the defense. Tim Weah, Alex Freeman and Joe Scally can all play right back, but where Scally comes in is that he can operate as a third center back. Tim Ream and Chris Richards are locked in as two of the back three, but who takes the third spot is anyone’s guess. Mark McKenzie and Auston Trusty are both playing regularly for their clubs, but the form hasn’t translated to the USMNT.
This is why it’s important for them to get World Cup-level tests, and there are few tests bigger than Portugal and Belgium coming to town. Even if Cristiano Ronaldo misses out for Portugal, this is a deep squad who are contenders for the World Cup title and will be one of the biggest matches that the USMNT has played in since facing England at the 2022 World Cup. All eyes will be on this window because of that.
Here’s the roster:
Roster
GOALKEEPERS: Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)
DEFENDERS: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic)
MIDFIELDERS: Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Johnny Cardoso (Atletico Madrid), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Tanner Tessmann (Lyon), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen)
FORWARDS: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Patrick Agyemang (Derby County), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Tim Weah (Marseille)
A thunderous boom heard and felt widely across northeastern Ohio and parts of Pennsylvania on Tuesday morning was likely the result of a meteor.
Area residents took to social media, describing what they heard as “the loudest boom,”“a few sonic booms” and “rumbling.” Others reported seeing a fireball and a bright streak flash across the sky.
The Pittsburgh office of the National Weather Service posted a dramatic video on X, captured by one of its employees, showing a fireball with a long tail hurtling across a cloudless sky.
The weather service in Cleveland, meanwhile, shared imagery from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s GOES-19 satellite, saying: “The latest GLM imagery (1301Z) does suggest that the boom was a result of a meteor.”
Rocky objects traveling through space are known as meteoroids, but when they enter Earth’s atmosphere and create fireballs, they are called meteors. Any fragments that fall to Earth’s surface are meteorites.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Republicans are launching an unprecedented effort on Tuesday to hold the Senate floor and talk for days about a bill that they know won’t pass — an attempt to capture public attention on legislation requiring stricter voter registration rules as President Donald Trump pressures Congress to act before November’s midterm elections.The talkathon could last a week or longer, potentially through the weekend, as Senate Majority Leader John Thune tries to navigate Trump’s insistence on the issue and Democrats’ united opposition. Trump has urged Thune to scrap the legislative filibuster, which triggers a 60-vote threshold in the 100-member Senate, or find another workaround to pass the bill, but Thune has repeatedly said he doesn’t have the votes to do that.Instead, Republicans intend to make a long, noisy show of support for the legislation, which would require Americans to prove they are U.S. citizens before they register to vote and to show identification at the polls, among other things. It’s a risky strategy, with no guarantee it will be enough for Trump, who has said he won’t sign other bills until the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act — also known as the SAVE America Act or the SAVE Act — is passed.The floor debate is expected to eventually end with a failed vote. Republicans need 60 votes to advance the bill to a final vote, but they hold 53 seats, and all 45 Democrats and both independents, who caucus with the Democrats, oppose it.Still, the debate will “put Democrats on the record,” Thune said last week.In a social media post on Tuesday morning, Trump issued a warning to any Republican who doesn’t vote for the bill: “I WILL NEVER (EVER!) ENDORSE ANYONE WHO VOTES AGAINST ‘SAVE AMERICA!!!’”Creating strict voter registration rulesTrump says, without evidence, that Democrats can only win in the midterms if they cheat and explicitly said Republicans need the SAVE America Act to win in November. The House passed the legislation earlier this year, but the Senate turned to other issues as it became clear that Republicans didn’t have the votes to pass it.But Trump made clear he wasn’t satisfied and pushed the Senate to act. The Republican president has said he won’t sign other legislation, including a bipartisan housing bill backed by the White House, until the voting bill passes.The bill contains a slew of provisions that Trump and his most loyal supporters have pushed as part of a broad effort to assert federal control over elections. It would require voters nationwide to provide proof of citizenship when they register and to show accepted voter identification when casting a ballot.It would also create new penalties for election workers who register voters without proof of citizenship and require states to hand voter data over to the Department of Homeland Security so federal officials could screen for voters who are in the country illegally.Trump also wants new provisions added to the bill, including a ban on most mail-in ballots.“It’ll guarantee the midterms,” Trump said of the bill last week. “If you don’t get it, big trouble.”Democratic opposition to the bill is firmDemocrats and many groups that champion voter access say there is little evidence of noncitizens voting and say the bill would disenfranchise millions of voters — including Republicans — by creating new burdens to prove citizenship.It is already illegal to vote if you are not a U.S. citizen, but the bill would lay out strict new rules for paperwork that people would have to present to register to vote. Opponents of the measure say those documents are not always readily available for many people.“There is no new problem to solve here,” said Janai Nelson, president and director-counsel of the Legal Defense Fund, a civil rights law advocacy group. “There is an apparatus already to ensure that elections are safe and secure and that only eligible voters are casting ballots in our elections.”Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said that Democrats are not opposed to voter identification but “this is about purging the voter rolls in a massive way, so you never even get the chance to show a voter ID when you showed up to vote because you’d be knocked off the rolls.”Expect a show on the Senate floorTrump, backed by Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, has pushed for a talking filibuster, which would force Democrats to talk for days or weeks to delay passage of the bill. But Thune and the larger GOP conference rejected that idea, arguing that it would end in failure after giving Democrats a stage and the opportunity to offer endless amendments, potentially adding their priorities to the bill.Republicans are instead taking over the floor with their own speeches, proceeding under regular order but operating outside the normal time limits that are customary when debating legislation. Democrats are expected to answer with their own procedural hijinks, potentially forcing Republicans to come to the floor at all hours for votes, meaning they will need to stay close to the Senate for the duration.Lee said last week that it’s unclear how it will all play out. He said he thinks Trump “understands that we need to put in an aggressive effort here.”“And a lot of that,” he said, “is going to have to be determined in real time as we go about it.”The extent of Trump’s satisfaction with the process, Lee said, “will depend on whether, in his view, we gave it everything we have.”On Monday night, Lee was rallying Trump’s base voters on X.“Once we’re on this bill,” he wrote, “we must stay on it until it’s passed into law.”___Associated Press writer Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON —
Republicans are launching an unprecedented effort on Tuesday to hold the Senate floor and talk for days about a bill that they know won’t pass — an attempt to capture public attention on legislation requiring stricter voter registration rules as President Donald Trump pressures Congress to act before November’s midterm elections.
The talkathon could last a week or longer, potentially through the weekend, as Senate Majority Leader John Thune tries to navigate Trump’s insistence on the issue and Democrats’ united opposition. Trump has urged Thune to scrap the legislative filibuster, which triggers a 60-vote threshold in the 100-member Senate, or find another workaround to pass the bill, but Thune has repeatedly said he doesn’t have the votes to do that.
Instead, Republicans intend to make a long, noisy show of support for the legislation, which would require Americans to prove they are U.S. citizens before they register to vote and to show identification at the polls, among other things. It’s a risky strategy, with no guarantee it will be enough for Trump, who has said he won’t sign other bills until the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act — also known as the SAVE America Act or the SAVE Act — is passed.
The floor debate is expected to eventually end with a failed vote. Republicans need 60 votes to advance the bill to a final vote, but they hold 53 seats, and all 45 Democrats and both independents, who caucus with the Democrats, oppose it.
Still, the debate will “put Democrats on the record,” Thune said last week.
In a social media post on Tuesday morning, Trump issued a warning to any Republican who doesn’t vote for the bill: “I WILL NEVER (EVER!) ENDORSE ANYONE WHO VOTES AGAINST ‘SAVE AMERICA!!!’”
Creating strict voter registration rules
Trump says, without evidence, that Democrats can only win in the midterms if they cheat and explicitly said Republicans need the SAVE America Act to win in November. The House passed the legislation earlier this year, but the Senate turned to other issues as it became clear that Republicans didn’t have the votes to pass it.
But Trump made clear he wasn’t satisfied and pushed the Senate to act. The Republican president has said he won’t sign other legislation, including a bipartisan housing bill backed by the White House, until the voting bill passes.
The bill contains a slew of provisions that Trump and his most loyal supporters have pushed as part of a broad effort to assert federal control over elections. It would require voters nationwide to provide proof of citizenship when they register and to show accepted voter identification when casting a ballot.
It would also create new penalties for election workers who register voters without proof of citizenship and require states to hand voter data over to the Department of Homeland Security so federal officials could screen for voters who are in the country illegally.
Trump also wants new provisions added to the bill, including a ban on most mail-in ballots.
“It’ll guarantee the midterms,” Trump said of the bill last week. “If you don’t get it, big trouble.”
Democratic opposition to the bill is firm
Democrats and many groups that champion voter access say there is little evidence of noncitizens voting and say the bill would disenfranchise millions of voters — including Republicans — by creating new burdens to prove citizenship.
It is already illegal to vote if you are not a U.S. citizen, but the bill would lay out strict new rules for paperwork that people would have to present to register to vote. Opponents of the measure say those documents are not always readily available for many people.
“There is no new problem to solve here,” said Janai Nelson, president and director-counsel of the Legal Defense Fund, a civil rights law advocacy group. “There is an apparatus already to ensure that elections are safe and secure and that only eligible voters are casting ballots in our elections.”
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said that Democrats are not opposed to voter identification but “this is about purging the voter rolls in a massive way, so you never even get the chance to show a voter ID when you showed up to vote because you’d be knocked off the rolls.”
Expect a show on the Senate floor
Trump, backed by Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, has pushed for a talking filibuster, which would force Democrats to talk for days or weeks to delay passage of the bill. But Thune and the larger GOP conference rejected that idea, arguing that it would end in failure after giving Democrats a stage and the opportunity to offer endless amendments, potentially adding their priorities to the bill.
Republicans are instead taking over the floor with their own speeches, proceeding under regular order but operating outside the normal time limits that are customary when debating legislation. Democrats are expected to answer with their own procedural hijinks, potentially forcing Republicans to come to the floor at all hours for votes, meaning they will need to stay close to the Senate for the duration.
Lee said last week that it’s unclear how it will all play out. He said he thinks Trump “understands that we need to put in an aggressive effort here.”
“And a lot of that,” he said, “is going to have to be determined in real time as we go about it.”
The extent of Trump’s satisfaction with the process, Lee said, “will depend on whether, in his view, we gave it everything we have.”
On Monday night, Lee was rallying Trump’s base voters on X.
“Once we’re on this bill,” he wrote, “we must stay on it until it’s passed into law.”
___
Associated Press writer Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.
Lainey Wilson had a hit song on the radio, but she was still asking her sister to send her money. The country singer admits she was broke as recently as five years ago.
A new trailer for her upcoming Netflix documentary finds Wilson recalling her first date with Devlin “Duck” Hodges. That was in 2021.
The Lainey Wilson: Keepin’ Country Cool documentary arrives at Netflix on April 22.
The movie promises to chronicle pivotal moments in her career, recent triumphs and struggles as she learned to handle success.
The title of this new documentary comes from a song called “Country’s Cool Again” on her 2024 Whirlwind album.
The documentary zooms in on the writing of a song called “Yesterday, All Day, Every Day” from the deluxe version of her Whirlwind album. Lyrics to that song include, “Wandering on downtown to Silverado’s / Crowd was line dancing and we were clinking bottles / Damn, it kinda feel like we done and hit the lotto / Free beer from five to ten.”
Emma McIntyre, Getty Images
Emma McIntyre, Getty Images
How Did Lainey Wilson Meet Duck Hodges?
Wilson and Hodges met through mutual friends and had their first date in 2021. He took her to a bar called Silverado’s.
“It had free beer and wine from 5 to 10PM,” Wilson later told People. “I was like, ‘This boy likes to ball on a budget, too. This is gonna work out!’”
Fans wouldn’t learn of the romance for several years and by the time they did, Wilson did have a bit of money in her bank account. That first date, however?
“I was broke. I was so broke when we met,” she shares. “And he thought I was doing a little bit better than I was, but a few weeks after we met, my sister had to Venmo me a couple hundred bucks.”
The wild part is that at this time, Wilson had a hit song on the radio.
“Things a Man Oughta Know” was released to radio in August of 2020, but it did not race up the charts. In fact, it was a slow few months before her power ballad caught on with radio and streamers.
In September of 2021, the song hit No. 1 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart, but a songwriter (Wilson wrote it with Jason Nix and Jonathon Singleton) typically doesn’t see royalties for many months after.
Lainey Wilson Net Worth Today
It’s not clear when in 2021 Wilson and Hodges had that first date. You’d think she’d have earned some money from this song or previous releases (she signed with BBR in 2019), but it sounds like she was working for no paycheck for quite a while.
Hodges wasn’t exactly loaded, either. He was on several NFL rosters between 2019 and 2021 but (per Over the Cap) was only paid about $600,000 total).
With several Entertainer of the Year trophies, headline tours and hit songs behind her, Wilson is likely the one being asked to loan money in 2026. Several unreliable celebrity net worth websites have estimated she’s worth as much as $6 million today, but there’s no evidence to support that claim.
Should we verify her net worth, we’ll be sure to add it to this list:
Lainey Wilson Facts: 13 Things Country Fans Need to Know
You already know Lainey Wilson‘s birthday, hometown, songs etc … Here are 11 facts you probably didn’t know unless you raised her. For example, did you ever wonder why she and boyfriend Duck Hodges don’t kiss in public?
And did you know that she gave Yellowstone one firm rule when it came to kissing actor Ian Bohen?
Lainey Wilson’s best songs are the ones that show exactly who she is: A sharp songwriter with a stubborn streak, a tender heart and a flair for ’70s rock and roll.
Some of that might seem like a contradiction, but it’s always made perfect sense to Wilson, who debuted on the country scene with a never-ending closet full of bell-bottoms and an unapologetically thick Louisiana drawl. Even if you flip back to some of her earliest releases, this singer-songwriter has always known who she is, and been laser-focused on her country music goals.
That self-confidence and willingness to work hard has paid off for Wilson, who has climbed the country music ladder by leaps and bounds since she released her breakout hit, “Things a Man Oughta Know,” in 2021. Keep reading for a look at Wilson’s catalogue, and our roundup of the 20 best country songs she has released to date.
Victory Capital sweetened its offer to buy Janus Henderson, whose board last week unanimously rejected the company’s takeover proposal and recommended shareholders back a take-private transaction by Nelson Peltz’s Trian Fund Management and venture firm General Catalyst.
NFL free agency has started to slow down since officially opening March 11, so it’s a good time to take stock of the moves.
Some teams have made splash signings, such as the Ravens adding edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, the Vikings bringing in quarterback Kyler Murray and the Chiefs signing running back Kenneth Walker III. But what were the best moves so far in free agency? What about the most puzzling moves? Which teams improved the most, and which might have taken a step backward?
We asked 15 of our NFL experts to weigh in with their picks from the past two weeks. Let’s start with the top signings and trades of March.
Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: The Rams signing cornerback Jaylen Watson. After trading for Kansas City’s Trent McDuffie, the Rams added another Chiefs cornerback. With his physical coverage traits and ability to align in press, Watson fits as the boundary matchup versus the X receiver. That will allow McDuffie to play to wide side of the field in coordinator Chris Shula’s defense.
Jeremy Fowler, national NFL reporter: The Giants signing tight end Isaiah Likely. A tight end who gets open is a friendly addition for a young quarterback, and Likely will be that for Jaxson Dart. His presence allows New York to lean into two tight end sets, and at $40 million over three years, Likely’s contract is cheaper than that of former Giants receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, who signed a four-year, $78 million deal with Tennessee.
Pamela Maldonado, sports betting analyst: The Chiefs signing running back Kenneth Walker III. He fixes one area of inconsistency for the Chiefs: the run game. When you already have quarterback Patrick Mahomes and an offense built around the pass, what stresses a defense the most is a back who can turn a routine carry into a 20-yard gain. That’s Walker’s game.
Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst: The Titans signing defensive end John Franklin-Myers. They have been desperate for an outside pass rush, and Franklin-Myers is a dream scheme fit in the Robert Saleh defense. His ability to line up inside, head-up on a tackle or play wide in a 6-technique gives the Titans maximum versatility up front. This draft class doesn’t have a surefire pass rusher for the Titans to draft at No. 4, so checking this box in free agency was key.
Jason Reid, senior Andscape writer: The Rams trading for McDuffie. Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba tormented the Rams this season, capping his Offensive Player of the Year campaign with 10 receptions, 153 yards and a touchdown in the NFC Championship Game. The Rams gave up a lot of draft capital for McDuffie and then made him the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, but he could be outstanding for L.A. in the slot and on the boundary. Cincinnati All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase can attest to that.
Aaron Schatz, NFL analyst: Quarterback Kyler Murraysigning with the Vikings. Only two years ago, Murray played a full season with a 63.4 QBR, ninth in the NFL. But more importantly, the language in Murray’s contract with Arizona means that the Vikings signed Murray for the veteran minimum of $1.3 million. That’s a ridiculous bargain for a struggling starting quarterback, let alone a QB who could be above average.
Mike Tannenbaum, NFL front office insider: Murray to the Vikings. Minnesota won nine games last season despite poor QB play from J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer. If Murray is good — or at least better than those players — the Vikings have a real chance to win the loaded NFC North.
Lindsey Thiry, national NFL reporter: Murray to the Vikings. Coach Kevin O’Connell has a noteworthy track record of developing and improving the play of his quarterbacks. In Minnesota, Murray has the chance to challenge McCarthy for the starting role. Murray gets a much-needed fresh start after stagnating in Arizona. Second chances for quarterbacks don’t come around often, but this appears to be a legitimate opportunity for Murray to revive his career.
What was the most head-scratching signing of free agency?
Stephania Bell, injury and fantasy football writer: Running back Jerome Fordsigning with the Commanders. Granted, it appears the Commanders are making low-risk moves as they add to their RB room. But this fit was puzzling. Rachaad Whitecame in on an inexpensive deal to complement Jacory Croskey-Merritt and reconnect with his college pal Jayden Daniels. Ford, whose best season with the Browns was three years ago, had more catches than carries last season, when his role dwindled. Washington then re-signed Jeremy McNichols, who, in addition to his special teams contributions, still notched more carries than Ford in 2025.
Mike Clay, fantasy football writer: The Colts re-signing wide receiver Alec Pierce. I was stunned to see all the pre-free agency hype — and eventual four-year, $116 million deal — for Pierce. I wasn’t surprised because of his ability, but because of how little he was utilized in Indianapolis. Even in a breakout 2025 season, Pierce ranked 48th among receivers in target share (18%). In all four of his NFL seasons, he has finished no better than 42nd in targets, 45th in catches, 18th in yards and 18th in touchdowns. The Colts not only made Pierce one of the highest-paid receivers, but they then traded Michael Pittman Jr., who has had 200 more catches than Pierce since 2022.
Liz Loza, fantasy football writer: The Falcons signing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.Given Michael Penix Jr.’s ACL injury and Kirk Cousins‘ release, adding Tagovailoa made sense for the Falcons. But it’s far from a flex. After all, the Dolphins willingly incurred an NFL-record $99.2 million dead cap hit to release him. That speaks volumes. Though the Falcons’ investment in Tagovailoa is relatively low (one-year, $1.3 million deal), it’s far from inspiring as a move.
play
1:58
Orlovsky on Tua in Atlanta: This is the best decision for both parties
Dan Orlovsky and Domonique Foxworth discuss whether Tua Tagovailoa is a good fit for the Atlanta Falcons.
Eric Moody, fantasy football writer: The Seahawks signing running back Emanuel Wilson to a one-year deal. It adds depth, but it doesn’t solve their bigger problem in the backfield. Losing Walker to the Chiefs hurts, especially with Zach Charbonnet coming off a major injury and no clear short-term solution. With questions about the run game and a new playcaller in Brian Fleury, the Seahawks’ offensive identity suddenly feels far less certain.
Ben Solak, NFL analyst: The Cowboys trading for edge rusher Rashan Gary. I don’t mind the fit for Gary in the Cowboys’ defense. He’s a bulky edge rusher on a team that needs more run-stuffing power. But the Cowboys traded a fourth-round pick for Gary’s deal, which will average out at a $19.5 million cap hit over the next two seasons. Was that really necessary when Boye Mafe and Bradley Chubb signed close to that amount? When Jonathan Greenard, a similarly strong run defender with a far better pass rush profile, was also available via trade? I’m surprised Dallas chose this option in a rich class of free agent edge rushers.
Field Yates, NFL analyst: The Bills signing edge rusher Bradley Chubb. Buffalo had a significant need to upgrade at edge rusher, and Chubb helps that cause. But the amount was surprising; Chubb’s deal includes $29 million guaranteed over three years. He is a solid player who piled up 8.5 sacks last season, but that’s a steep figure for a soon-to-be 30-year-old rusher. I thought his market would be lighter than that, but Buffalo acted fast with many of the coveted pass rushers unavailable.
Seth Walder, analytics writer: The Bengals signing defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. The aforementioned Chubb signing and Kwity Paye‘s deal with the Raiders are also great contenders for this superlative. But Allen getting as much as he did — two years, $26 million — as a 31-year-old coming off two straight years of declined performance (resulting in his release from the Commanders and Vikings) was really surprising. It also was a break for the Vikings. Allen had $8 million guaranteed from when they cut him — and they could get all of that money back depending on how the contract is structured.
Which is the most improved team after free agency and other moves over the past week?
Bell: The Chiefs. Sometimes, the rich get richer in the NFL, and Kansas City did just that after missing the postseason for the first time since 2014. The Chiefs lacked an explosive run game and addressed that with Walker. They retained a quarterback’s best safety valve in tight end Travis Kelce, who could prove exceptional for newly signed quarterback Justin Fields while Mahomes works back from ACL surgery. And they signed defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga to bolster the interior alongside Chris Jones. Cha-ching.
Loza: The Panthers. General manager Dan Morgan did an excellent job of identifying the team’s greatest needs in an attempt to capitalize on the Panthers’ turnaround in 2025. From an offensive standpoint, quarterback Bryce Young figures to be better protected and supported thanks to the additions of offensive tackle Rasheed Walker, center Luke Fortner and wide receiver John Metchie III (his teammate at Alabama). But the Panthers’ most impressive upgrades came on defense. They spent big on edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd, while also generating depth with defensive end Patrick Jones II.
Moody: The Steelers. They took a meaningful step toward fixing their passing game by adding Pittman and signing him to an extension. The move finally gave DK Metcalf a legitimate running mate at receiver. Running back Rico Dowdle also adds depth and flexibility to the backfield alongside Jaylen Warren, giving Pittsburgh more options in the run game. The biggest question now is quarterback, which probably will determine how much noise the revamped Steelers offense can make in 2026.
Solak: The Raiders. Often, the most improved team in free agency is the team with tons of money and tons of needs. Such was the case here, as the Raiders filled big holes with center Tyler Linderbaum, linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean, defensive end Kwity Paye and nickel back Taron Johnson. Quietly, one of the best signings was ex-Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor. He brings quality field-stretching as a WR3 but could become a higher-volume player out of the shadows of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Thiry: The Rams. They were one score from advancing to the Super Bowl, and with the trade for McDuffie and signing of Watson, they created a necessary boost for their secondary. That change could enable them to return to the Super Bowl in what might be the final season of reigning MVP Matthew Stafford‘s career.
Yates: The Titans. There is an old axiom to not confuse activity with achievement, but dollars count in free agency, and I believe that the Titans are much further along than they were before free agency. Coach Robert Saleh is reunited with three front-seven members from his Jets tenure, led by Franklin-Myers. Saleh’s defenses during his time in New York were often excellent, so I expect this defense to attack right away.
Walder: The Vikings. Forgive the simplicity, but a team’s biggest offseason change is going from zero starting-caliber quarterbacks to one starting-caliber quarterback. That’s what the Vikings accomplished, moving them from a noncontender to a team with a real shot at the postseason.
Which team has taken a step backward over the past week, and what is one move you’d like to see it make?
Bowen: The Lions. They added some offensive players who fit the identity of coach Dan Campbell’s program: center Cade Mays and running back Isiah Pacheco. But Detroit’s defense is still missing an edge rusher opposite of Aidan Hutchinson. Veteran Joey Bosa is still available, or the team could look to address this in the draft.
Fowler: The Seahawks. They had six key free agents and lost four of them, retaining wideout Rashid Shaheed and cornerback Josh Jobe. The step back was calculated. Instead of overpaying to keep the Super Bowl roster intact, the Seahawks can replenish by drafting quality players with their compensatory picks. Seattle also must budget for a Jaxon Smith-Njigba megadeal. Still, adding one more key player for coach Mike Macdonald — perhaps a third safety — would help the secondary.
Maldonado: The Seahawks. Walker’s explosiveness is gone from Seattle, Boye Mafe is missing from the pass-rush rotation and the secondary lost Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant. None of those moves breaks the team, but they collectively thin out the Seahawks’ depth. Seattle kept the core intact, but this looks more like roster maintenance than improvement. The team should look to sign another edge rusher to replace the pass-rush depth lost and keep Macdonald’s defensive front rotating fresh.
Miller: The 49ers. Adding a 33-year-old wide receiver (Mike Evans) doesn’t solve any of the team’s problems on the offensive line, defensive line or secondary. This is another move that reeks of trying to fill holes instead of building for the future. With Trent Williams‘ future uncertain, the weaknesses on both lines will soon be exposed in San Francisco. Drafting a left tackle of the future in the first round is the right move, and I like Utah’s Caleb Lomu or Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor as fits.
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Schefter: Mike Evans is veteran presence 49ers were looking for
Adam Schefter tells Pat McAfee how Mike Evans ended up signing with the 49ers.
Reid: The Chiefs. Although they received four picks in the McDuffie trade, they lost a cornerstone 25-year-old. The Rams also signed Watson, who’s only 27. The Commanders lured starting linebacker Leo Chenal (25), and the Bengals signed safety Bryan Cook (26). Notice a trend? The Chiefs didn’t just lose defensive starters — they lost key players entering their prime. The Chiefs need major help at edge rusher and offensive tackle, but cornerback is now their biggest need. With the No. 9 pick, the Chiefs should select LSU’s Mansoor Delane.
Schatz: The Eagles. Woolen will help the Eagles solve their CB2 problem, but they lost several other players. Phillips helped transform their defense at midseason. Safety Reed Blankenship was an important part of the secondary. They could afford to lose linebacker Nakobe Dean because they have Jihaad Campbell, but the depth took a hit. Arnold Ebiketie was a good addition to make up for the loss of Phillips, but with the top free agent safeties on new teams, the Eagles should improve that position through the draft.
Tannenbaum: The Texans. Last year, they lost left tackle Laremy Tunsil. And this year, they traded right tackle Tytus Howard and replaced him with Braden Smith. I’m not sure how these O-line changes help further quarterback C.J. Stroud‘s development. Ideally, they should sign a veteran such as Joel Bitonio if he plays in 2026. He’ll be 35 in October but has started 178 games. The Texans could also draft an offensive lineman at No. 28 — Alabama’s Proctor or Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor are possibilities.
Top Iranian security official Ali Larijani was killed in overnight strikes, Israel said Tuesday, marking a significant moment for the Islamic Republic in the conflict.
Israeli defense minister Israel Katz said in a statement that Larijani was “eliminated.” There was no immediate confirmation out of Iran on his apparent killing.
Larijani, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was among the most senior leaders of the regime still alive in Iran after top leaders — including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei — were killed at the start of the war. He was one of the regime’s most experienced insiders and deeply trusted by the late Khamenei. He was also among a very small group of people who could manage both the war and the politics around it.
He was a hardliner who understood negotiation, and also a system loyalist who understood limits.
Larijani had been a defiant voice since the war began and warned only a week ago, in a message aimed at President Trump, that the Iranian people “do not fear your empty threats; even those greater than you have failed to erase them… so beware lest you be the ones who disappear.”
He last appeared in public on Friday at a demonstration for al-Quds Day, an annual event in support of Palestinians. It was an act of defiance as he walked through crowds in Tehran in the middle of the conflict.
Why Larijani’s death is significant
Larijani was a former Revolutionary Guards officer who went on to run state broadcasting, serve as Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator and serve as the speaker of parliament for more than a decade. More recently, he returned to the core of power as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, sitting at the intersection of military, intelligence and political decision-making. He also came from one of Iran’s most powerful clerical families, which matters in the theocracy.
In the months leading up to the war, Larijani had become even more important, at times effectively running the country’s day-to-day strategy as pressure mounted.
Operationally, the impact of his death is likely limited in the short term. Politically, it could harden attitudes and reinforce the narrative inside Tehran that this is an existential fight aimed at dismantling the leadership itself.
Over time, it removes one of the few insiders who could help shape a political off-ramp. Figures like Larijani are often the ones who help manage not just how wars are fought, but how they end.
Larijani could operate inside the security state and still engage in external negotiation. He helped shape Iran’s nuclear posture and was involved in quiet efforts to reopen channels with Washington even as tensions escalated.
Just as importantly, he helped manage the political layer of the war itself.
He was one of the few figures who could shape the messaging, signal intentions and maintain lines of communication externally, even as fighting continued, while remaining fully trusted by the system. While he understood escalation, he also understood where it needed to stop. That made him one of the few figures in Tehran capable of managing both sides of a crisis at once, and without him, that capability shrinks.
His death also means that Mojtaba Khamenei, who is the new supreme leader and son of the late ayatollah, loses one of the few men who knew how his father actually ran power. Larijani was close to the late Khamenei and part of an inner circle that understood how power was exercised at the top.
The Islamic Republic, however, is built to absorb the losses of leaders like Larijani, and so his death may not fundamentally change Iran’s trajectory. Power does not disappear, but instead shifts while the system remains.
In his final messages, Larijani was blunt. He framed the war as an existential struggle and challenged Muslim countries directly, asking them, “Which side are you on?” over their apparent silence as the violence raged on. At the same time, he insisted Iran was not seeking domination over its neighbors.
Larijani among other leaders killed
The Israeli military also announced on Tuesday the killing of the Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s feared Basij paramilitary force.
“The Israeli Air Force, acting on IDF intelligence, targeted and eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past six years,” the IDF said in a statement, accusing the Basij, under Soleimani’s command, of leading “the main repression operations, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators” to quash anti-government protests that swept across Iran in January.
The IDF called Soleimani’s assassination “an additional significant blow to the regime’s security command-and-control structures” and it vowed to “continue to operate with determination against commanders of the Iranian terror regime.”
The Trump administration said earlier this month that the operation against Iran had killed 49 of “the most senior Iranian regime leaders.”
The U.S. said on Friday it was offering up to $10 million, and the potential opportunity to relocate, for information on the whereabouts of 10 senior Iranian leaders. Larijani had been among them.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Early Tuesday morning Albuquerque Fire Rescue responded to reports of a fire at a single story house. Fire crews arrived on scene and reported a fire at the back of a residence on the 200 block of Espanola St. NE. AFR says the fire primarily involved a shed in the back yard […]
