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

Twitter/X: @ZacWassink
Muck Rack: zac-wassink
August 2, 2023  |  Philadelphia Eagles

WR Quez Watkins makes bold prediction about Eagles future

Wide receiver Quez Watkins believes he'll prove to be more than just a third option at the position for the Philadelphia Eagles this season.

August 2, 2023  |  New York Yankees

Aaron Judge responds to Yankees' lackluster trade deadline

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge remains committed to pursuing a playoff berth this fall after general manager Brian Cashman failed to deliver a major splash ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. 

August 2, 2023  |  Miami Dolphins

Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa opens up about trying to stay healthy this season

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has again addressed how he's attempting to avoid the types of injury setbacks that prematurely ended his 2022 season.

August 2, 2023  |  Texas Rangers

How Jacob deGrom convinced Max Scherzer to accept trade to Rangers

It turns out Jacob deGrom helped close the trade that resulted in the New York Mets sending Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers ahead of Tuesday's deadline for such transactions. 

August 1, 2023  |  New York Mets

Francisco Lindor reacts to Mets' trade deadline fire sale

Star shortstop Francisco Lindor sounds committed to still pursuing a World Series title with the New York Mets following the club's fire sale ahead of the summer trade deadline.  "It’s a repositioning of players and assets to the organization," Lindor said hours before Tuesday's series opener at the Kansas City Royals, per John Flanigan of SNY.

August 1, 2023  |  Denver Broncos

Broncos' Sean Payton shares Russell Wilson update after controversial comments

Current Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton sounds happy with where quarterback Russell Wilson is today compared with what Wilson produced under former coach Nathaniel Hackett.

August 1, 2023  |  Miami Dolphins

Stephen A. Smith again blasts Dolphins, Mike McDaniel over handling of Tua Tagovailoa

Outspoken ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith is still upset with Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel regarding the handling of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa last season.

August 1, 2023  |  NFL

Cowboys' Jerry Jones sends warning to other NFC East teams

Jerry Jones thinks the Eagles, Giants and Commanders had better watch out for the Cowboys.

August 1, 2023  |  New York Giants

Giants' Rakeem Nunez-Roches compares car accident to practice

New York Giants defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches kept things in perspective while speaking Tuesday about his recent car accident.

August 1, 2023  |  New York Jets

Aaron Rodgers explains commitment to Jets past 2023 season

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers recently accepted a massive pay cut to pursue a Super Bowl title with the New York Jets and suggested Tuesday he's committed to the franchise well beyond the 2023 season. 

August 1, 2023  |  Atlanta Falcons

Falcons owner Arthur Blank sounds all-in on Desmond Ridder

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank expects second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder to make a big leap this season now that he's the team's starter during training camp.

August 1, 2023  |  Denver Broncos

LB discusses how Sean Payton improved Broncos culture despite controversy

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton continues to generate headlines due to recent controversial comments but remains a hit inside his own locker room. 

August 1, 2023  |  New England Patriots

JuJu Smith-Schuster shares what's surprised him about Bill Belichick

Perhaps New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is showing more of a soft side following his 71st birthday that he celebrated this past April.

August 1, 2023  |  Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks GM reveals when Geno Smith took control of offense

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider saw quarterback Geno Smith cement himself as a legitimate replacement for Russell Wilson even before the 2022 season got underway. 

August 1, 2023  |  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers motivated by lack of respect after Tom Brady departure

Logic suggests neither free-agency signing Baker Mayfield nor 2021 second-round draft pick Kyle Trask will guide this year's Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title as did Brady during his first campaign with the organization. Nevertheless, players such as wide receiver Mike Evans insist Tampa Bay isn't rebuilding without TB12 handling training-camp practice sessions. 

July 31, 2023  |  NFL

Jets' Allen Lazard addresses comments from Broncos' Sean Payton

It's clear that Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton will have to answer for his recent comments about current New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett beyond this month.  "Hackett is the best teacher I’ve ever had in my life," Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard said on Monday, as shared by Antwan Staley of the New York Daily News.

July 31, 2023  |  New York Giants

Giants' Daniel Jones disrespected in rankings by league insiders?

New York Giants legend Tiki Barber believes Daniel Jones can become the NFC East's best overall quarterback and a top-10 NFL signal-caller. 

July 31, 2023  |  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Watch: Buccaneers' Shaquil Barrett addresses playing after daughter’s death

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett spoke publicly with reporters Monday for the first time since his two-year-old daughter tragically passed away earlier this spring.

July 31, 2023  |  Buffalo Bills

Bills' Damar Hamlin 'a little scared' in return to padded practice

Bills safety Damar Hamlin didn't hide his true emotions after he practiced wearing pads on Monday for the first time since he famously went into cardiac arrest on Jan. 2. 

July 31, 2023  |  Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes using Blaine Gabbert to become more like Tom Brady

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes hopes to become more like retired living legend Tom Brady as it pertains to visualizing plays ahead of time thanks, in part, to having conversations with backup Blaine Gabbert.

July 31, 2023  |  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers LB shares surprising take about loss of Tom Brady

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Anthony Nelson doesn't sound too devastated over the departure of quarterback Tom Brady this offseason.

July 31, 2023  |  San Francisco 49ers

49ers GM John Lynch shares optimistic Nick Bosa update

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch isn't panicking over superstar pass-rusher Nick Bosa skipping the early days of training camp.

July 31, 2023  |  Indianapolis Colts

Analyst doesn't believe Colts will start Anthony Richardson

At least one knowledgeable individual believes those assuming the Indianapolis Colts will immediately start rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson over veteran Gardner Minshew should pump the figurative brakes.

July 31, 2023  |  Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin not sweating 'pebble in your shoe' amid contract uncertainty

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin clearly isn't bothered about the fact his current contract with the club expires after the 2024 season. 

July 31, 2023  |  San Francisco 49ers

49ers' Christian McCaffrey not focused on Super Bowl despite expectations

Star running back Christian McCaffrey isn't thinking about his San Francisco 49ers getting past the NFC Championship game even though they may have been a healthy quarterback away from the Super Bowl this past winter.