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

Baker Mayfield addresses being named Buccaneers starting quarterback

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield spoke with reporters Tuesday shortly after it was learned he defeated 2021 second-round draft pick Kyle Trask in a competition for the starting job that seemingly was decided before the club's first preseason game. 

Former All-Star rips Mets for fire sale ahead of trade deadline

Retired two-time All-Star Todd Frazier is the latest noteworthy member of the MLB community who has criticized New York Mets owner Steve Cohen for signing off on a pre-trade deadline fire sale when making the playoffs was still within reach. 

Giants' Brian Daboll talks Rob Gronkowski speculation

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll sounds unconvinced tight end Rob Gronkowski would seriously consider ending his retirement to feature for Big Blue later this fall. 

Mets icon blasts 'flaccid' 2023 squad for collapse

The Mets entered this season with baseball's largest payroll but essentially were out of the NL East division race weeks before their fire sale.

Why Lions pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson is thankful for the Jaguars

Young pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson is happy he landed with the Lions rather than the Jaguars.

Jets' Dalvin Cook shares how Aaron Rodgers impacted free-agency decision

Running back Dalvin Cook wanted to share more than just a division with New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers this time around.

Hall of Famer reacts to Colts' Anthony Richardson decision

Former NFL quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Moon agrees with the decision made by Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen to start rookie signal-caller Anthony Richardson.

Analyst shares bold take on 49ers QBs Brock Purdy, Sam Darnold

Seemingly everyone has been talking about what the 49ers will do under center in 2023. Is it possible they have more than one option capable of winning a Super Bowl?

Packers' Jordan Love responds to Patriots' Mac Jones about replacing a legend

Similar to New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, new Green Bay Packers starter Jordan Love understands what replacing a team and NFL legend atop the depth chart feels like this summer.

How Giants' Saquon Barkley has responded to contract disappointment

Star running back Saquon Barkley seems dedicated to giving his all to the 2023 New York Giants even after he failed to secure a long-term contract this offseason.

Why Steve Young thinks Brock Purdy can guide 49ers to Super Bowl wins

Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young acknowledges San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has physical "limitations," but Young nevertheless believes Purdy can guide the club to multiple Super Bowl championships. 

WR Darius Slayton reveals 'heartbeat' of the Giants

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton named fellow receiver Sterling Shepard as one of the club's most important figures heading into the 2023 NFL season.

49ers legend Steve Young talks what's wrong with Trey Lance

San Francisco 49ers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young touched upon what may be ailing third-year quarterback Trey Lance this summer.

Aaron Judge hints pressure is getting to free-falling Yankees

The Yankees now have dropped eight of their last 10 games and a have a losing record this late into the season for the first time since 1995.

Mike Evans makes big request about Buccaneers' quarterback competition

Tampa Bay Buccaneers star wide receiver Mike Evans is tired of waiting for the team's quarterback competition to officially end. 

Colts HC Shane Steichen elaborates on Anthony Richardson decision

Anybody wondering if Colts head coach Shane Steichen is questioning his decision to name rookie Anthony Richardson the team's starting quarterback should put such thoughts to bed. 

Rob Gronkowski teases playing return with Giants

Retired tight end and future Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski is again teasing a potential return to playing, this time with the New York Giants.

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan talks Trey Lance handling criticism

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke highly about QB Trey Lance's ability to handle criticism, of which there has been much ahead of the 2023 NFL season.

Jets' Garrett Wilson, Aaron Rodgers gush over each other

New York Jets WR Garrett Wilson and QB Aaron Rodgers have been leveling up their new connection in training camp.

Patriots' Mac Jones gives advice to Packers' Jordan Love about replacing a legend

Mac Jones knows something about what Jordan Love is as it pertains to replacing a living legend atop the depth chart. 

Buccaneers' Tristan Wirfs remaining brutally honest about position change

Tristan Wirfs of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continues to be his harshest critic regarding his ongoing switch from right tackle to left tackle. 

Eagles Pro Bowler Darius Slay shares bold DeVonta Smith prediction

Five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay certainly knows a thing or two about wide receivers, and he believes the sky is the limit for his young teammate.

Why 49ers had Philip Rivers over Ben Roethlisberger in mind for Super Bowl LVII

The 49ers had tremendously bad injury luck at QB last season and were prepared to bring at least one former star at the position in if they had advanced to the Super Bowl.

Baker Mayfield talks 'big-picture mindset' amid Kyle Trask competition

Baker Mayfield knows plenty about experiencing the highest of highs and lowest of lows as an NFL quarterback. And he's learned some things along the way.

Advice Jets' Zach Wilson received from Panthers' Adam Thielen

Veteran Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen spent time speaking with New York Jets backup quarterback Zach Wilson following this past Saturday's preseason game involving the two clubs.