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

Insider doesn't 'get the sense' Browns are interested in 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport doesn't envision the Browns trading for Garoppolo regardless of what happens with Watson's situation. 

Padres change Fernando Tatis Jr. bobblehead night after PED suspension

The Padres will instead have a Juan Soto T-shirt giveaway.

Falcons' Desmond Ridder named only 'pivotal' rookie QB ahead of 2022 NFL season

Falcons QB Desmond Ridder theoretically should be considered the favorite to become the first rookie quarterback to start a meaningful game before Thanksgiving Day.

ESPN analyst predicts Trey Lance will guide 49ers to Super Bowl LVII berth

One ESPN analyst is leading the Lance hype train.

Steelers' Najee Harris left Alabama 'for like two weeks' after being 'belittled' by Nick Saban

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg recently ranked Saban No. 1 among his college football coaches for the upcoming season, but the legendary figure hasn't always displayed the warmest of personalities.

Jets' Zach Wilson has successful knee surgery; Joe Flacco 'in line' to start Week 1

Wilson "still has a shot to play in Week 1," but the Jets won't have him take the field against a live defense "until he's fully ready" and instead have veteran backup Joe Flacco "in line to start" versus Baltimore on Sept. 11. 

Watch: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has Nicolas Cage bust in locker

Aaron Rodgers showed media members a bust of none other than Nicolas Cage that he now keeps in his Green Bay locker.

Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth named 'overvalued player' to avoid in fantasy football drafts

Pat Freiermuth proved to be a revelation in his debut pro season that he ended with 60 receptions for 497 yards and a remarkable seven touchdowns.

ESPN ranks Penn State's James Franklin No. 9 college football coach

Franklin will have every opportunity to prove worthy of the high praise as he guides his unranked Nittany Lions into the 2022 season.

Former NFL coach compares Chargers' Justin Herbert to Tom Brady

Justin Herbert finished the 2021 campaign second behind only Tampa Bay Buccaneers star signal-caller Tom Brady with 5,014 passing yards.

Steelers Pro Bowl WR Diontae Johnson on rookie George Pickens: 'That's a special talent'

That's high praise coming from Johnson, who earned a Pro Bowl nod after he finished the 2021 season leading the team with 107 catches, 1,161 receiving yards and eight touchdown grabs. 

New York Giants QB Tyrod Taylor getting more first-team reps in practice a hint to replacing Daniel Jones this fall?

Last winter, the New York Giants were linked in rumors with veteran quarterback Mitchell Trubisky due to his relationships with general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll stemming from when all three were attached to the Buffalo Bills.

Diontae Johnson's camp responds to lawsuit: 'Nothing more than a money grab'

Johnson's agent and attorney released a statement blasting the credibility of the lawsuit.

Manchester United could let Cristiano Ronaldo leave after disastrous start to season?

London sports radio station TalkSport reported Tuesday that Ten Hag will consider selling Ronaldo before the summer transfer window closes "due to concerns over his behavior."

Watch: Guardians recall 'Mustard' condiment, who delivers hilarious press conference

Last week, the Guardians officially optioned the High-A Lake County condiment to High-A Lake County after he went 0-50 in races throughout the MLB season.

Creators of Edwin Diaz walkout music want to perform 'Narco' at Mets game

Edwin Diaz of the New York Mets may be the most dominant closer in all of MLB this summer, but it's his "Narco" walkout song by Blasterjaxx and Timmy Trumpet that continues to land the right-hander in headlines. 

Tom Brady still scheduled to return to Buccaneers next week

Brady will miss the Buccaneers' second preseason game at the Tennessee Titans this coming Saturday.

Atlanta chosen for 2025 CFP national championship game, Miami for 2026

The CFP contract expires after the 2025 season, and its management committee hasn't announced a format for determining a champion past that time.

Alex Rodriguez: 'I’m not going to go to the Hall of Fame, probably, because of my own mistake'

Rodriguez explained he was "heartbroken" to learn that San Diego Padres All-Star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. had received an 80-game suspension.

LSU QB Myles Brennan confirms end of college football career

Myles Brennan was once given an opportunity to start for the LSU Tigers in September 2020. It's now known he's taken his last snap for LSU and any other team. 

Ravens HC John Harbaugh: 'We have great respect for' Jets' Joe Flacco

As things stand today, Jets veteran backup Joe Flacco could start the Week 1 matchup versus the Baltimore Ravens held at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 11.

Insider hints Browns' Deshaun Watson could get 10-game suspension, $10 million fine

Following a story that said Deshaun Watson "would accept an eight-game suspension and $5M fine to avoid missing the entire season," Mike Florio speculated that "the league presumably won’t slip below 10 games, and the league may want a fine in the range of $10 million — the salary Watson earned in 2021 for not playing." 

Browns TE David Njoku named 'breakout candidate' for 2022 NFL season

ESPN's Bill Barnwell named the 26-year-old among his "25 NFL breakout candidates for 2022."

Tennis player Casper Ruud could be fined for not using bathroom during match?

Rudd may be fined for the violation of a bizarre rule.

Report: Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo the top 'social media earner' in sports

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner earns $2,000,000 per post.