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

Why Giants' Saquon Barkley has back 'against the wall again'

New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley knows he's still up against it as it pertains to securing a long-term contract in a hard salary-cap world that allows teams to undervalue veteran players at his position.

Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa addresses playing after considering retirement

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is back for another season after he briefly considered calling time on his playing career following a worrisome 2022 campaign.

Odell Beckham Jr. addresses 'reset' with Ravens

Beckham hasn't played in a meaningful game since he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while featuring for the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI.

Tristan Wirfs calls out those who think Buccaneers are tanking

Add Pro Bowl offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs to the list of Buccaneers players who have heard and responded to people doubting the team will compete this season now that quarterback Tom Brady is retired for good. 

Browns LB sends Deshaun Watson warning to NFL

Walker knows what it could mean for defenses around the NFL if Watson is right about being better today than he was when at his best with Houston. 

Why Patriots' Hunter Henry is excited by Mac Jones ahead of season

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry indicated Wednesday the version of quarterback Mac Jones who earned a Pro Bowl nod for the 2021 season as a rookie is back.

Kirk Herbstreit defends Gus Johnson over call of Colorado-TCU game

College football and NFL commentator Kirk Herbstreit came to the defense of Fox Sports' Gus Johnson after Johnson received some criticism for his call of this past Saturday's game between the Colorado Buffaloes and TCU Horned Frogs.

Jaguars' Doug Pederson compares Colts' Anthony Richardson to former MVP

Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson hasn't yet taken a snap in a meaningful NFL game but received some high praise Wednesday from Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson ahead of Sunday's Week 1 matchup between the sides. 

Teammate shares major hype for Giants' Daniel Jones

New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins insists quarterback Daniel Jones will make believers out of critics this season after Jones proved himself to teammates during the 2022 campaign.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson shares bold claim ahead of season

Watson, who was officially named a team captain last week, sounds ready to silence any and all doubters.

Big question hovers over Season 2 of Netflix's 'Quarterback'

A significant problem hovers over the proposed second season of Netflix's "Quarterback" docuseries produced by NFL Films and Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions.

Mark Sanchez discusses Aaron Rodgers being potential Jets savior

Sanchez and Rodgers have known each other "for years" and share an agent. That, of course, is not all that the two have in common.

Giants rookie Jalin Hyatt talks building chemistry with Daniel Jones

The bond shared by New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt and quarterback Daniel Jones was first strengthened when Jones told the rookie to take the locker next to him.

Patriots' Mac Jones shares surprising Tom Brady revelation

It seems New England Patriots starting quarterback Mac Jones and retired club legend Tom Brady may be closer today than outsiders realized.

Patriots' Mac Jones talks relationship with Eagles' Matt Patricia

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones had only positive things to say about Eagles senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia on Tuesday. 

Cardinals OC makes major statement about QB Kyler Murray

Whether or not Kyler Murray will ever take a meaningful snap under OC Drew Petzing's guidance is unknown. 

Cowboys' Jerry Jones defends trading for QB Trey Lance

Lance could become an inexpensive lottery ticket for Jones as soon as next summer. 

Patriots OC Bill O’Brien talks QB Bailey Zappe amid possible demotion

It sounds like New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien isn't ready to give up on backup quarterback Bailey Zappe quite yet. 

Why Buccaneers' Todd Bowles was 'handcuffed' during 2022 season

Todd Bowles found himself in quite a unique situation during his first season serving as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Could Ravens' Odell Beckham Jr. win award over Bills' Damar Hamlin?

It appears Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is not the unnamed NFL Comeback Player of the Year for the 2023 season in everybody's eyes. 

Jerry Jones talks future of QB Dak Prescott with Cowboys

Unless the 30-year-old inks a deal soon, questions about his future will hover over his status and the Cowboys as Dallas looks to overtake the Philadelphia Eagles atop the NFC East standings.

Tom Brady addresses attending first Patriots game as retired player

For the first time, quarterback Tom Brady will attend a New England Patriots game as a retired player when he's honored before and during the Week 1 clash against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium this coming Sunday. 

Lions' Taylor Decker on hype: 'We haven't done anything yet'

Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker realizes this is the most-hyped team he's been a part of since he joined the organization via the 2016 NFL Draft and also understands nothing of note is won on paper.

Tom Brady addresses Aaron Rodgers joining Jets from Packers

Retired quarterback Tom Brady understands what Aaron Rodgers is experiencing this week as Rodgers officially closes the book on his Green Bay Packers tenure and prepares to make his regular-season debut with the New York Jets.

Insider shares ominous update on 49ers' Nick Bosa

It's looking more and more like the San Francisco 49ers will be without All-Pro pass-rusher Nick Bosa for this coming Sunday's regular-season opener at the Pittsburgh Steelers.