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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

Giants' Sterling Shepard talks Super Bowl goal amid latest return

New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard is thinking about a future Super Bowl Sunday amid his recovery from his latest physical setback.

Buck Showalter shares honest take about Mets selling

New York Mets manager Buck Showalter wants to be left in the dark regarding whatever general manager Billy Eppler plans to do before this coming Tuesday's MLB trade deadline. 

49ers' Trey Lance reacts to losing first-string reps to Brock Purdy

Trey Lance of the San Francisco 49ers is staying positive even though he's lost first-string quarterback duties.

Raiders' Hunter Renfrow shares big regret about 2022 season

Renfrow is looking to put his 2022 season well behind him.

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.