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

NFL personnel director thinks Giants' Dexter Lawrence II should've won major award despite injury

Lawrence recorded nine sacks across 12 games in 2024 during what may have been the most impressive run, to date, of his career.

Could Dolphins part ways with QB Tua Tagovailoa after 2025 season?

Could Tua Tagovailoa find himself playing for his Dolphins career this fall?

Reporter expands on why Steelers traded George Pickens to Cowboys

The Pittsburgh Steelers made one of the biggest post-draft splashes of the offseason when they traded wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys.

Why 'wild' Panthers, Cardinals QB swap idea could make sense

What are the chances that this wild trade between the Panthers and Cardinals occurs?

Would Kirk Cousins have signed with Falcons if he knew they'd select Michael Penix Jr. in 2024 draft?

Would Cousins have made a different decision if he knew the Falcons would draft Penix?

Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes addresses 'revenge tour' talk after Super Bowl loss to Eagles

Mahomes addressed his approach as the Chiefs look to bounce back from a Super Bowl defeat.

Could Steelers' T.J. Watt hold out during training camp amid contract standoff?

Watt once again is looking for a pay raise this summer. 

Why Yaya Diaby is 'super geeked' Buccaneers have Haason Reddick

Reddick signed a one-year contract with the Buccaneers this offseason, coming off a rather forgettable 10 games he played as a member of the New York Jets last season. 

Mets president addresses narrative about winning Juan Soto sweepstakes over Yankees

David Stearns addressed one narrative surrounding his team's acquisition of Soto.

Did NFC personnel evaluator take shot at Browns over Baker Mayfield flourishing with Buccaneers?

Were the Browns the recipient of a subtle shot as a personnel evaluator discussed Baker Mayfield?

How Will Levis impressed Titans teammates amid difficult Cam Ward situation

JC Latham indicated that HC Brian Callahan keeping the QB competition alive through the start of training camp will ultimately benefit Cam Ward and Will Levis.

Insider says 'superpower' gives Kenny Pickett advantage in Browns' QB competition

Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot pointed to the advantage that Kenny Pickett has in Cleveland's QB competition.

Insider shares surprising claim about how some former Steelers players view Mike Tomlin

Tomlin is widely viewed among analysts and fans as a head coach players around the NFL would love to have as their leader. 

Why Marcus Mariota re-signed with Commanders to continue mentoring Jayden Daniels

Quarterback Marcus Mariota understood when he re-signed with the Washington Commanders this past March that he won't see significant playing time.

Carlos Mendoza explains lineup move that propelled Mets to needed win over Brewers

Despite all that's gone wrong for the Mets since the evening of June 13, they began Thursday trailing the first-place Philadelphia Phillies (51-36) by just two games in the National League East standings.

Reporters questioning Steelers' alleged stance on trading T.J. Watt

Watt is signed through the 2025 campaign but presumably is looking for a pay raise that would match or better the value of the four-year, $160M extension Myles Garrett signed to stay with the Browns earlier in the offseason.

Mets' Frankie Montas believes he knows reason for nightmare outing at Pirates

Starting pitcher Frankie Montas sparked concerns among New York Mets fans when he surrendered six runs on seven hits over four innings of work in a blowout loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Jets' Sauce Gardner opens up about facing Steelers' Aaron Rodgers in Week 1

New York Jets cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner recently revealed that he and former teammate Aaron Rodgers "haven’t been in touch as much" as they were this offseason before Rodgers joined the Pittsburgh Steelers, in part because Gardner's Jets will host Rodgers' Steelers in Week 1 of the upcoming season.

Stats show what Liam Coen changed to get best out of Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers offense

Mayfield produced the best numbers, to date, of his career in Coen's one season serving as Tampa Bay's offensive coordinator. 

Ravens' Rashod Bateman opens up about Cowboys trade rumors

Bateman ultimately stayed put and eventually inked a three-year, $36.75M contract extension ahead of the Ravens' summer break.

Why Maxx Crosby believes Pete Carroll can turn Raiders around

Crosby detailed what Carroll brings to the organization as it looks to develop into a contender.

AL scout shares alarming takes about Yankees' Anthony Volpe

New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe was compared to franchise legend and Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, but now the focus is on Volpe's struggles at the plate and in the field. 

Ravens' Rashod Bateman defends Lamar Jackson over playoff record

Bateman made his thoughts on his quarterback clear.

Why Mets' Griffin Canning plans to reach out to Klay Thompson amid injury recovery

New York Mets starting pitcher Griffin Canning suffered a brutal blow when he went down with a season-ending ruptured left Achilles. 

Sauce Gardner shares big admission about relationship with Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner will go up against an old friend when he faces the Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Week 1 of the upcoming NFL season.