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' Brock Purdy disrespected in 2024 QB rankings

Could this serve as some motivation for the 49ers QB?

Bears' Caleb Williams shares message for 'haters'

The Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional 2025 sixth-round draft pick before they made Williams the first overall choice of this year's player-selection process. 

What Nick Sirianni wants to avoid following Eagles' collapse

The Eagles seemed on track to return to the Super Bowl when they began December 2023 at 10-1, but they then fell to 11-6 before they suffered a 32-9 wild-card playoff loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Saquon Barkley shares what's giving him motivation with Eagles

Running back Saquon Barkley is ready to prove any and all doubters wrong after he left the New York Giants to sign with the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles in free agency.

Insider predicts length of Sidney Crosby's next contract

A team insider offered his thoughts on Crosby's next contract.

NFL executive rips Bills' Josh Allen as 'overrated'

One unnamed veteran NFL executive clearly doesn't believe that Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills is among the best quarterbacks in the league today.

How Eagles' Nick Sirianni is handling uncertainty about his future

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni seems to understand he could be out of a job come January following the events of the 2023 season.

Bears' Marcedes Lewis shares why he's excited to play with Caleb Williams

Lewis turned 40 years old this past spring but re-signed with Chicago in June.

Why Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield felt like 'a piece of dirty laundry'

During a recent appearance on 102.5 The Bone's "The Mike Calta Show," Bucs QB Baker Mayfield once again discussed being discarded by both the Browns and Panthers in 2022.

Analyst shares wild trade-deadline idea regarding Yankees' Juan Soto

WFAN radio host and SNY MLB analyst Sal Licata recently gave his take on Soto and the Yankees.

Why Steelers' Cameron Heyward 'hated' learning about 'Hard Knocks' assignment

During the latest edition of his "Not Just Football" podcast, veteran Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward left little doubt he wants no part of the upcoming "Hard Knocks: In Season" program that will feature the entire AFC North division.

Kyle Juszczyk echoes 49ers teammate about Brandon Aiyuk contract standoff

Add fullback Kyle Juszczyk to the list of San Francisco 49ers players confident that the club and unsettled wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will work out some sort of agreement before the regular season gets underway in September.

Why Ravens believe Derrick Henry can turn back the clock

Jamison Hensley of ESPN shared why the Ravens believe Derrick Henry can bounce back from a down season even though he turned 30 years old in January.

Report updates if NFL is close to getting 18-game regular season

NFL insider Mike Jones suggested the NFL and NFL Players Association aren't yet in the red zone regarding negotiations related to the possible expansion of the regular season to 18 games.

Insider shares if 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk will report for training camp

Aiyuk skipped the club's mandatory minicamp last month amid his desire for financial guarantees beyond the upcoming season.

Yankees reportedly admit one Juan Soto free-agency defeat

The Yankees seemingly have given up hope of signing All-Star outfielder Juan Soto to a contract extension ahead of free agency.

Mets' Brandon Nimmo repeats trade-deadline challenge for Steve Cohen

Brandon Nimmo isn't backing down from his campaign to get the Mets to be buyers at the trade deadline.

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence calls shot after contract extension

Trevor Lawrence isn't lacking confidence following the Jaguars' second-half collapse in 2023 and after he put pen to paper on a massive contract extension this offseason.

Jerry Rice seemingly has contract advice for 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk

During a recent conversation, Hall of Famer Jerry Rice suggested that 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk should play this season in a contract year and then look to get paid in 2025.

Cameron Heyward discusses warning he gave Russell Wilson about Steelers

During a Thursday appearance on the "Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams," Cameron Heyward shared how he spoke with Russell Wilson shortly before he joined the Steelers.

Nathaniel Hackett shares what's different about Jets offense

Hackett officially joined the Jets in early 2023 months before the club acquired quarterback Aaron Rodgers via a trade with the Green Bay Packers. 

Bears' Jaylon Johnson again clarifies controversial Caleb Williams comment

Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson once again addressed how he controversially said in March that Caleb Williams "can’t bring that Hollywood stuff into the building" as a rookie quarterback.

Insider predicts if 49ers will trade Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel

The 49ers are coming off an overtime Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and may possess arguably the league's best overall roster. 

Insider expands on why Falcons could replace Kirk Cousins with Michael Penix Jr. in 2025

The Falcons signing Cousins to a four-year, $180M contract less than two months before they acquired Penix with such a valuable draft asset remains arguably the most curious development of the NFL offseason. 

Former NFL QB rips Bears for giving up on Steelers' Justin Fields

Chicago traded Fields to Pittsburgh for just a conditional 2025 sixth-round draft pick in March.