Yardbarker

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

EXPERTISE:

NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, Premier League, MLS, US Soccer, UFC

49ers GM hints if Mac Jones or Brock Purdy will start vs. Buccaneers

It sounds like Mac Jones, not Brock Purdy, will be in the lineup for the 49ers' matchup in Tampa Bay.

Browns' handling of Shedeur Sanders after Joe Flacco trade explained

Dillon Gabriel is on track to remain the starting QB after he completed 19-of-33 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns in Cleveland's 21-17 Week 5 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Rashod Bateman makes big statement about criticisms of 1-4 Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens emerged as arguably the biggest disappointment of the 2025 season.

Broncos dispute 'disrespectful' narrative about Jets game in London

It doesn't sound like the Broncos will be taking the Jets lightly.

Giants credit rookie fan favorite for providing 'spark' amid 1-4 start

More has gone wrong than right for the Giants heading into Thursday night's home game against the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. 

Why Todd Bowles only wants Baker Mayfield as starting QB for Buccaneers

Mayfield has guided the Buccaneers to comeback victories four times in five games.

Bengals players discuss Joe Flacco's quick transition 

Joe Flacco only joined the Cincinnati Bengals via a trade from the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday but nevertheless will get the start when 2-3 Cincinnati plays at the Green Bay Packers (2-1-1) this coming Sunday.

Andy Reid, Chiefs LB address Chris Jones controversy regarding loss to Jaguars

Almost immediately after Jags QB Trevor Lawrence completed a highlight-reel scramble for a touchdown to help secure a victory over the Chiefs, social media users accused Jones of not giving his all on that play. 

Aaron Judge shares massive update on elbow injury after Yankees suffer playoff elimination

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge played through a lingering elbow injury from early August through the club's 5-2 home loss to the Toronto Blue Jays that bounced the Yankees from the American League Division Series on Wednesday night.

Joe Flacco trade gives Browns rookie Dillon Gabriel lesson about life in the NFL

Roughly one week after Browns HC Kevin Stefanski benched Flacco in favor of Gabriel, Cleveland surprisingly traded Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Cowboys players dare Panthers' Rico Dowdle to back up trash talk

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle raised eyebrows when he warned earlier in the week that the Dallas Cowboys, his former club, have "got to buckle up" ahead of this coming Sunday's game between the two sides.

Aaron Boone makes feelings on future clear after Yankees' latest playoff disappointment

The Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs via a 5-2 home loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Division Series on Wednesday night.

Eagles' Nick Sirianni addresses private meeting amid offensive struggles

After the Philadelphia Eagles fell to 4-1 via this past Sunday's 21-17 home loss to the Denver Broncos, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, wide receiver A.J. Brown and running back Saquon Barkley "had a long, positive conversation" that "lasted a couple hours." 

Is Browns' Kevin Stefanski on hot seat after surprising Joe Flacco trade?

Stefanski is a two-time NFL Coach of the Year Award winner, but his teams went 4-18 from Week 1 of the 2024 season up through the moment the Browns agreed to ship Flacco to the Bengals.

Bengals' Zac Taylor explains shocking Joe Flacco move for Packers game

The Bengals acquired Flacco from the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday.

Jets HC Aaron Glenn grateful for overseas trip amid 0-5 start

The Jets haven't gotten off to the start they had hoped for as they prepare to take on the Broncos in London.

People around NFL think Panthers could soon make huge Bryce Young decision

Young has largely failed to impress throughout the early part of the 2025 season.

NFL coaches, execs voiced serious concerns about Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence before 2025 season

ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler noted on Wednesday that some questioned last fall whether Lawrence would ever become a franchise quarterback for Jacksonville. 

Lions appear 'destined' to make huge Aidan Hutchinson move

Hutchinson is once again a key contributor for the Lions, coming off the devastating injury he suffered last fall.

Do NFL evaluators believe Daniel Jones has resurrected career with Colts?

Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano addressed on Wednesday whether league evaluators believe that Daniel Jones has resurrected his career while playing under Colts head coach Shane Steichen.

Could Raiders bench struggling Geno Smith amid 1-4 start to season?

Smith was one of the NFL's most disappointing quarterbacks of the opening five weeks of the season.

NFL analyst suggests 49ers should consider bold Mac Jones, Brock Purdy move

Jones has thus far gone 3-0 in games that Purdy has missed because of a lingering toe injury. 

Mike Tomlin warns Steelers about Browns rookies ahead of AFC North clash

Browns rookie QB Dillon Gabriel performed admirably against the Minnesota Vikings in London this past Sunday.

Giants' Cam Skattebo addresses viral moment after fumble in loss to Saints

New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo committed a costly fumble that resulted in a New Orleans Saints touchdown this past Sunday.