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

Giants TE Darren Waller talks up QB Daniel Jones

New York Giants tight end Darren Waller sounds excited to catch passes thrown by quarterback Daniel Jones when the games begin to matter in September. 

Watch: Buccaneers' Ryan Jensen gets emotional discussing injury, son

One of the worst parts about the serious knee injury Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting center Ryan Jensen suffered last summer was having to break the news to his now-five-year-old son. 

Ravens' Odell Beckham Jr. opens up about 'dark days' after injury

Baltimore Ravens star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. continues to discuss his recovery from a knee injury that apparently could've ended his career. 

Why Trent Williams wasn't overly emotional about Brock Purdy return

San Francisco 49ers All-Pro offensive tackle Trent Williams was happy to see Brock Purdy back at practice but also didn't throw a party in honor of the young quarterback.

Insider: Selling Mets could hold onto Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer

The disappointing New York Mets became sellers late Thursday night when they traded closer David Robertson to the Miami Marlins.

Boomer Esiason: Jets should circle Broncos game after Sean Payton comments

Former New York Jets quarterback and current "The NFL Today" analyst Boomer Esiason believes Gang Green should use recent comments offered by Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton as bulletin-board material.

Ron Darling: 'Payment is due' for Mets players being hit by pitches

Former New York Mets pitcher and current analyst Ron Darling thinks it's past time the team responds to players being hit by pitches during games. 

Steelers GM shares honest take on running back salaries

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan didn't dance around the issue while speaking about why running backs and the position, in general, are devalued in the modern NFL. 

Brock Purdy not yet 49ers Week 1 starting QB?

Quarterback Brock Purdy participated in training-camp practice on Thursday but revealed head coach Kyle Shanahan hasn't yet named the 23-year-old the San Francisco 49ers' Week 1 starter.  

Giants' Matt Breida shares harsh reality for Saquon Barkley, running backs

New York Giants backup running back Matt Breida shared a harsh reality for teammate Saquon Barkley and other ball-carriers around the NFL regarding how teams value the position in the modern pass-heavy league.  "It’s so tough," Breida told reporters about the overall situation, per Bob Brookover of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com.

NY Giants icon Tiki Barber blasts 'wussification' of NFL

Tiki Barber has strong feelings about the modern NFL compared to the league he played in years ago. 

49ers' Brock Purdy discusses return to practice after elbow surgery

Brock Purdy was cleared to participate in training-camp practices earlier this week and served as the San Francisco 49ers' first-string quarterback on Thursday. 

Did JuJu Smith-Schuster compare Mac Jones to Ben Roethlisberger and Patrick Mahomes?

New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster had high praise for QB Mac Jones at the start of training camp.

Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield confident despite previous failed stints

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield remains confident he can win at the highest level despite how his stints with the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers ended. 

Jets react to Aaron Rodgers' contract 'sacrifice'

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers became even more popular among those associated with the New York Jets by taking a massive pay cut to pursue a Super Bowl title with the franchise over the next two seasons. 

Buccaneers' Kyle Trask wants to play 'taller' amid QB competition with Baker Mayfield

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Kyle Trask remains an unproven commodity but understands he has one edge over veteran Baker Mayfield amid the competition to replace Tom Brady atop the depth chart. 

Yankees reportedly looked into trade for Angels' Shohei Ohtani

The New York Yankees didn't want to wait until free agency to pursue Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Boomer Esiason shares when Aaron Rodgers started considering joining Jets

Esiason was all over the Rodgers-to-the-Jets story throughout the offseason, and he seems to be more plugged-in than most on the relationship between the QB and the franchise.

Giants' Saquon Barkley addresses why he didn't sit games out

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley acknowledged Thursday he considered skipping training camp and even regular-season games after he failed to secure a long-term contract. 

Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles shoots down Tom Brady talk

It sounds like quarterback Tom Brady won't make a second comeback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before or after his 46th birthday that he'll celebrate on the first Thursday of August. 

Stefon Diggs blasts reports about frustrations with Bills offense

The Buffalo Bills and wide receiver Stefon Diggs seemingly are on the same page this summer, but that can't necessarily be said about Diggs and certain media members. 

Rams QB Matthew Stafford contradicts COO about contract

Controversy may be brewing between the Los Angeles Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford ahead of the upcoming campaign in regard to what may or may not have happened this offseason.

Reasons for Angels' Shohei Ohtani decision revealed

There's more information about why Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno decided to hold onto two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani through this coming Tuesday's trade deadline. There's plenty to unpack. 

Bengals' Joe Burrow talks contract extension after recent deals

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow seems in no rush to sign what likely will be a historic contract extension after other signal-callers inked mega-deals this offseason. 

Jalen Hurts addresses notion of changing playing style after contract extension

Those who assumed Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts may play more cautiously now that he got paid should think again.