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

Eagles legend opens up about leadership of QB Jalen Hurts

Questions about Hurts' leadership style and personality hovered over the Eagles as they fell to 11-6 to end the 2023 season.

Steelers' T.J. Watt discusses recruiting J.J. Watt out of retirement

Future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt raised eyebrows earlier in the week when he said he "definitely was monitoring" the situations involving the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans this past season as he considered potentially coming out of retirement. 

Buccaneers' William Gholston compares Baker Mayfield to Tom Brady

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end William Gholston spoke during an appearance on Fox Sports Radio about how quarterback Baker Mayfield quickly became a favorite among teammates shortly after Mayfield signed a one-year "prove it" contract with the organization early last offseason. 

Punt returner shares controversial comments on Eagles' collapse

Philadelphia Eagles punt returner Britain Covey got brutally honest while speaking with Eagles Now of Chat Sports on Thursday about how the club went from 10-1 to 11-6 ahead of a wild-card playoff loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season. 

Steve Young names 'superpower' possessed by 49ers' Brock Purdy

San Francisco 49ers legend and Hall of Famer Steve Young believed that current San Francisco starting quarterback Brock Purdy could be special as soon as Young watched Purdy play in relief of an injured Jimmy Garoppolo in early December 2022. 

Jets' Sauce Gardner addresses Robert Saleh criticisms

New York Jets star cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner backed Robert Saleh after a critical story published by The Athletic last week.

Why Hall of Famer still has confidence in Patriots' Mac Jones

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones may not have much value on the trade market this offseason, but Hall of Famer Steve Young explained why he still believes the 2021 first-round draft pick can find success in the NFL. 

Dan Campbell shared bold Lions prediction after NFC Championship loss

The Lions blew a 24-7 halftime lead over the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.

Woody Johnson discusses influence Aaron Rodgers has on Jets

It sounds like any suggestions that quarterback Aaron Rodgers is actually running the New York Jets behind the scenes won't be going anywhere this offseason. 

Former MVP hits Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes with 'game manager' label

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, game manager? Not quite, but Boomer Esiason wanted to make a point.

CBS' Jim Nantz defends Tony Romo ahead of Super Bowl call

Romo received what generously could be referred to as mixed reviews for his calls of playoff games last month. 

Cowboys legend blasts Mike McCarthy decision

Dallas Cowboys legend and Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith made it known during a Thursday appearance on the CBS Sports Radio "Maggie and Perloff" program that he isn't thrilled with the state of the franchise this offseason. 

J.J. Watt compares Bill Belichick to Ravens' Lamar Jackson

Future Hall of Famer and current CBS Sports NFL analyst J.J. Watt recently told The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin (h/t NESN) how former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick may eventually have something in common with Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson. 

Chiefs' Marquez Valdes-Scantling makes huge claim about Jets' Aaron Rodgers

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling believes his former teammate will bounce back in a big way.

When Texans' Nico Collins knew C.J. Stroud would be special

ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime revealed that it didn't take long for Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins to know that rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud would be special enough to guide the club to the playoffs in Stroud's debut NFL season. 

Hall of Famer enters 'game manager' debate about 49ers' Brock Purdy

Purdy will have nothing to prove to anybody if he gets his hands on the Lombardi Trophy at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday. 

Former teammate discusses Patriots failing Mac Jones

Jones went from being a QB1 for a playoff team in January 2022 to somebody who could soon find himself competing for a roster spot. 

Why Bills' Damar Hamlin may be linked with Doug Flutie

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin could forever be linked with retired quarterback Doug Flutie assuming Hamlin is named the winner of the Associated Press' Comeback Player of the Year Award at the "NFL Honors" ceremony on Thursday night, as is expected. 

Chiefs' Mecole Hardman reflects on failed Jets tenure

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman is preparing to face the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII this Sunday after he flopped with the New York Jets this past fall. 

49ers' Christian McCaffrey shares massive praise for Brock Purdy

San Francisco 49ers superstar running back Christian McCaffrey left little doubt during his Super Bowl LVIII media availability on Wednesday that he views quarterback Brock Purdy as much more than a "game manager" heading into this Sunday's showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Insider details Giants' faith in Daniel Jones

Jones tossed two touchdown passes and six interceptions across fewer than six full games in 2023 before he suffered a torn ACL in early November. 

How will Kyle Shanahan handle his history of losing leads in the Super Bowl?

Kyle Shanahan has some infamous Super Bowl losses on his resume.

Why Buccaneers have 'upper hand' to re-sign QB Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield completed keeps hinting that he'd like to commit his long-term future to the Buccaneers.

Mets' David Stearns shares expected contract update of star player

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns joked during an appearance on Wednesday's edition of the "Foul Territory" program that he'd set something up "tomorrow" regarding the re-signing of All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso.

NFL insider offers interesting retirement update on Chiefs' Andy Reid

The latest rumors about Reid possibly retiring surfaced shortly before the Chiefs defeated the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship.