• It has been a wild few days as the NFL’s free agent signing period approaches. Several big name players are reportedly changing teams and signing big contracts.
• The Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers seemed to be well involved in the process in the early going.
• Players like Geno Smith, DK Metcalf, Justin Fields, Aaron Rodgers and Devante Adams could shift the balance of power in the league.

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The NFL’s free agent frenzy officially begins Wednesday, March 12, but fans have already seen an incredible few days with blockbuster trades and record setting signings as marquee players reshape the balance of power.

The two most active teams, at least initially, were the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Friday, March 7, Seattle traded their starting quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, then a day later sent their superstar receiver DK Metcalf to Pittsburgh. Those two players will sign massive contract extensions with their new teams in the coming days.

Who replaced Geno Smith as QB in Seattle?

Tuesday, March 11, the Seahawks spent some of the money they freed up reportedly signing their new quarterback, Sam Darnold. The free agent resurrected his career after a stellar season with the Minnesota Vikings. Darnold has also played for the Jets, Panthers and 49ers in his seven-year career. The deal with Seattle is reportedly worth $100 million over the next three seasons.

After those moves, the quarterback dominoes started to fall. Tuesday, March 11, the New York Jets reportedly signed former Steelers quarterback Justin Fields to a two-year deal. The other quarterback on the Steelers roster last season, Russell Wilson is still available.

However, at the scouting combine their General Manager Omar Kahn didn’t give either player a ringing endorsement.

“There are good things from both of them glad to have had both of them with us. It was a good experience. Both of them are really good people. But the reality is, we ended the season with five straight losses and that’s not good enough. That’s unacceptable. And from top to bottom in the organization, we’ve got to be better.” Kahn said.

Who will play quarterback in Pittsburgh?

So, who will throw to DK Metcalf now that he is in Pittsburgh? Rumors are that former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is talking to the Steelers and the New York Giants. Devante Adams, Rodgers top receiver last season in New York has reportedly signed a deal with the Los Angeles Rams.

Several other big-time deals reported in the last couple days include the Arizona Cardinals signing former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat, former Giants and Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones heading to Indianapolis, and former Dolphins safety Javon Holland moving to the Giants.

The Steelers also lose their star running back Najee Harris, who is moving to the Los Angeles Chargers. Former San Francisco defensive stars Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga will now both play in Denver.

Which big name players signed extensions?

There were also a few big names who stayed with their current teams signing massive extensions. Cornerback Byron Murphy of the Vikings signed a three-year, $66 million extension.

Defensive end Myles Garrett requested a trade out of Cleveland Feb. 3, has now decided to stay as the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history. His deal is worth $123 million over the next four years.

Additionally, NFL’s most valuable player Josh Allen is now the second highest paid player in league history at six years and $330 million. That ranks just behind Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

All these new deals become official Wednesday, March 12 at 4 p.m. EST, when the start of the new league year officially begins.

• The House of Representatives approved a government funding package Tuesday evening. The legislation now heads to the Senate, where it needs 60 votes to pass. Many Democrats and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said they would oppose the measure. 
• Democrats wanted a 30-day extension to give Congress time to reach a bipartisan solution.
• This bill funds the government through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year.

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The House of Representatives approved a government funding package on a near-party-line vote Tuesday evening, March 11. The measure now heads to the Senate, where it needs to be approved before Friday, March 14. Otherwise, the federal government will shut down. 

Who voted for the bill?

All but one Republican voted in favor of the continuing resolution, all but one Democrat voted against it and two members did not vote. 

“House Republicans stood for the American people and voted to maintain funding the paychecks for our troops, the agents who secure our borders, the TSA workers responsible for safe air travel, as well as the healthcare and benefits for veterans, and essential services and programs that keep the government operational,” Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement. 

“For years, House Democrats have railed against government shutdowns, but they suddenly changed their tune when President Trump returned to office,” Johnson continued. 

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Why did many Democrats vote against funding the government?

Democrats contend the funding bill cuts money for affordable housing, community health care and for veterans care. 

“The House Republican highly partisan shutdown-threatening bill is an attack on veterans. It’s an attack on families. It’s an attack on seniors,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said.

Republicans called some of the Democrat’s allegations exaggerations and fabrications. GOP leadership said there are no cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, as Democrats stated. 

While that’s the case for the government funding package, Republicans are also working to approve a budget reconciliation bill that could make cuts to those programs.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, brought forward a 30-day extension to fund the government through April 11. She said that would give Congress time to finalize a bipartisan solution, which she described as “close” to completion.  

“Speaker Johnson’s slush fund continuing resolution empowers President Trump and Elon Musk to pick winners and losers with taxpayer dollars, and make no mistake: it shortchanges families and includes painful funding cuts for bipartisan domestic priorities like cancer research, Army Corps projects, and much more,” DeLauro said in a statement. 

“A shutdown will be the result of the Republican majority walking away from negotiations,” DeLauro added. 

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What’s next?

The legislation now heads to the Senate, where it needs 60 votes to pass. Many Democrats, and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said they would oppose the measure. 

“We’re trying desperately to keep the government open but not to go with a plan that will give Elon Musk and his boys the ability to wantonly chop up government,” Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said. 

Some Senate Democrats have expressed support for DeLauro’s 30-day resolution. For the House Republican package to pass, at least seven Democrats will have to vote in favor of it. It’s not yet clear how many will cross party lines.

• The Trump Administration laid off half of the Department of Education’s 4,100 employees Tuesday evening. The move is a major step toward President Trump’s stated goal of eliminating the department.
• Earlier Tuesday, Department of Education employees in the Washington region received a notice. It said all department offices in the area will be closed starting at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday for “security reasons.”
• It is unlikely the president could unilaterally close the department because it was created by an act of Congress in 1979.

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The Trump Administration laid off about half of the Department of Education’s 4,100 employees Tuesday evening, March 11. The move is a major step toward President Trump’s stated goal of eliminating the department. 

“Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement.

When the Trump administration began, the department had 4,133 employees. Between these layoffs and the buyouts offered to federal employees earlier this year, the department’s workforce now stands at 2,183.

How did those at the department find out?

Earlier Tuesday, Department of Education employees in the DC region received a notice. The notice said all department offices in the area would be closed starting at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday for “security reasons.” The offices will remain closed Wednesday, March 12. It also told employees eligible for telework to take their laptops home and return to the office on Thursday, March 13.

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President Trump has stated he wants states to run schools. He also supports school choice. The education option allows parents to send their children to alternative schools rather than neighborhood public schools.  

He previously said he wants Education Secretary Linda McMahon to put herself out of a job. 

Can the president shut down the Education Department?

It is unlikely the president could unilaterally close the department because it was created by an act of Congress in 1979. Since President Jimmy Carter signed the legislation, Republicans have stated the federal government is overstepping. 

The department has several duties, including civil rights enforcement, running the $1.5 trillion federal student loan program and sending billions in federal funds to state education departments. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, federal funds account for about 11% of total elementary and secondary public school revenue.

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Republicans contend many of those functions can be handled directly by the states instead of sending the money to the federal government only to be redistributed. 

Democrats, however, say closing the department will negatively impact students with disabilities. They also say it would lead to larger class sizes and reduce individualized services for students.

• A new study suggests that microplastic pollution is reducing plants’ ability to photosynthesize, potentially impacting global food production. Researchers estimate that up to 14% of staple crops like wheat, rice and maize may be lost and also forecast a 7% decline in seafood production.
• The study projects that microplastic-related food losses could put an additional 400 million people at risk of hunger over the next two decades.
• These findings come as world leaders prepare to resume negotiations this summer on a United Nations treaty to address plastic pollution.

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A recent study suggests that microplastic pollution may significantly affect global food production by reducing plants’ ability to photosynthesize. Researchers warn that if pollution levels continue to rise, food security challenges could intensify.

“These findings underscore the urgency for effective plastic mitigation strategies and provide insights for international researchers and policymakers to safeguard global food supplies in the face of the growing plastic crisis,” the study’s authors said.

What are the potential impacts of this microplastics problem?

The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It estimated that up to 14% of staple crops—including wheat, rice, and maize—may be lost due to microplastic contamination.

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Beyond agriculture, the data also indicates that marine ecosystems may also be affected. The study estimated a 7% drop in fish and seafood production linked to microplastic exposure.

The findings project that microplastic-related food losses could put an additional 400 million people at risk of hunger over the next two decades, a nearly 60% increase from 2022 estimates. Researchers analyzed data from over 150 previous studies and used machine-learning models to estimate these impacts on food production.

Microplastics can hinder plant growth by degrading soil quality, blocking sunlight and introducing toxic chemicals. Scientists have found these particles worldwide, from the summit of Mount Everest to the deepest depths of the ocean. According to the study, Asia is experiencing the most significant crop losses. Wheat in Europe and maize in the United States are also being affected.

How accurate are these findings?

Some experts, however, caution that while the study provides important insights, further research is needed to refine its estimates and confirm the findings. They have raised concerns regarding the quality of existing data. Some have called for more extensive observations to strengthen the conclusions.

“I have considerable concerns about the quality of the original data used by the model, and this has led to overspeculation about the effects of plastic contamination on food supplies,” Richard Lampitt, a senior research scientist at the UK’s National Oceanography Centre said.

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What happens next?

The study’s release comes as world leaders prepare to resume negotiations in August on a United Nations treaty to address plastic pollution, following stalled discussions in December. Researchers emphasize that microplastics should be a key focus in global efforts to combat environmental and food security challenges.

• The New York Times reported on a heated exchange between Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a closed-door cabinet meeting, sparking conflicting narratives across the media. Left-leaning outlets highlight the chaos and alleged dysfunction while right-leaning outlets dismiss the claims as false and emphasize unity within the Trump administration.
• President Donald Trump and his administration denied reports of any feud, emphasizing that Musk and Rubio are both effectively carrying out their roles.
• Musk’s role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is advisory. He assists agencies in cutting waste, but he does not have the power to directly fire employees or implement cuts.

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The New York Times published a report detailing an alleged heated exchange behind closed doors at a cabinet meeting Thursday, March 6. The report claims that tensions ran high between billionaire Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with President Donald Trump present during the conflict. President Trump and others in the administration called the Times report false and said there was no feud.