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' Kyle Shanahan confirms Tom Brady, Brock Purdy story

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed he wanted to start quarterback Tom Brady over Brock Purdy ahead of the 2023 season.  "Yes, I was serious about it," Shanahan said about the Brady story while speaking with NBC Sports' Peter King.

Insider questions free-agent value of Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield had a resurgent season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he may face less interest than desired on the free-agent market.

Bills WR Stefon Diggs offers concerning update on future

Stefon Diggs didn't necessarily commit his long-term future to the organization.

Raiders' Maxx Crosby explains reported Antonio Pierce trade threat

Las Vegas Raiders star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby recently spoke with Jenna Lemoncelli of the New York Post about why he reportedly could've forced his way

Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa discusses possible long-term contract

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sounds optimistic he'll put pen to paper on a long-term contract extension after he showed he can stay healthy for an entire NFL season. 

49ers GM addresses Tom Brady interest ahead of 2023 season

Earlier this week, retired quarterback Tom Brady danced around a question related to a recent story that revealed San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan planned to pursue Brady last offseason when signal-caller Brock Purdy was recovering from a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. 

Joint NFL/NFLPA committee seemingly ends turf vs. grass debate for now

Data collected from a joint committee made up of individuals from the NFL and NFL Players Association seemingly put to bed the "turf-versus-grass surfaces" debate, though the findings are a bit shaky.

NFL insider discusses restructure for Daniel Jones, Giants' QB plans

NFL insider Connor Hughes of SNY believes the New York Giants won't restructure the four-year contract reportedly worth up to $160M that quarterback Daniel Jones signed last March, largely because general manager Joe Schoen may want to move on from that deal next offseason. 

Why Tom Brady is a reason teams passed on hiring Bill Belichick

There's more information about why teams such as the Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders passed on hiring former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick this winter. 

Baker Mayfield comments on Buccaneers, Liam Coen links

It sounds like Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield would welcome having Liam Coen as an offensive coordinator after the two worked together with the Los Angeles Rams late in the 2022 season. 

Former Buccaneers QB shares brutal Baker Mayfield assessment

Mayfield guided the Buccaneers to the NFC South division title and a home playoff victory in his first season with the organization.

Eagles legend rips Cowboys' Jerry Jones for Bill Belichick, Dak Prescott comments

Philadelphia Eagles legend Donovan McNabb ripped Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones for recent comments he offered about the team's current head coach and franchise QB.

Could Liam Coen cause Baker Mayfield to re-sign with Buccaneers?

Coen served as Mayfield's offensive coordinator when the two worked together across five games with the Los Angeles Rams late in the 2022 season. 

When Kyle Shanahan knew Brock Purdy was best QB on 49ers

San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York spoke with reporters on Thursday and revealed when head coach Kyle Shanahan suspected that Purdy was the best QB on the roster.

Panthers' Dave Canales addresses fixing Bryce Young

The Carolina Panthers officially introduced new head coach Dave Canales to the media on Thursday, and Canales spoke about getting quarterback Bryce Young on the right track following Young's rough rookie season.

Former NFL executive apologizes for controversial take on 49ers' Brock Purdy

Widely respected former NFL executive and current football analyst Amy Trask took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday to address controversial comments she made about San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy in January. 

Insider explains why Commanders hired Dan Quinn over Bill Belichick

Shortly after it was learned on Thursday that the Washington Commanders were hiring former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their new head coach, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick "was considered" for the Washington job.

Packers GM discusses contract future of Jordan Love

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst spoke with reporters Thursday and confirmed he plans to offer starting quarterback Jordan Love a noteworthy contract extension this offseason. 

Dan Patrick resurrects Super Bowl Saturday idea that will never happen

Sports broadcasting legend Dan Patrick is similar to many NFL fans who don't love the fact that every Super Bowl game occurs on a Sunday in February that is often followed by a workday for most Americans. 

Hall of Famer breaks down inconsistencies of Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence

Hall of Fame quarterback and current NFL analyst Kurt Warner recently spoke with Michael DiRocco of ESPN about the ups and downs experienced by Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence across Lawrence's first three NFL seasons. 

Cam Newton sticks by controversial take on 49ers' Brock Purdy

Former Carolina Panthers star quarterback and one-time NFL Most Valuable Player Cam Newton once again backed his take that San Francisco 49ers signal-caller Brock Purdy is merely a "game manager" even after Purdy guided the 49ers to a Super Bowl LVIII matchup versus the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Browns GM discusses hopes for Deshaun Watson with new OC

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry has one main hope regarding quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Patriots legend addresses Bill Belichick being snubbed by Falcons

Former New England Patriots safety and current NFL analyst Devin McCourty suggested that Bill Belichick was only interested in joining the Atlanta Falcons this winter because Belichick is 15 wins away from breaking Don Shula’s NFL record for career victories earned by a head coach.

Eagles' A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith address coaching staff changes

The Eagles put up little fight in the 32-9 wild-card playoff loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 15. 

ESPN broadcaster discusses retirement rumors about Chiefs' Andy Reid

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio and ESPN's Adam Schefter raised eyebrows when they suggested in January that Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid could ride off into the sunset of retirement this winter if his club won Super Bowl LVIII.