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

'Everything is on the table' for Bears at QB in 2021

The Chicago Bears rotated between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles as starting quarterbacks during the 2020 NFL season. That experiment went so poorly that the Bears have now been linked with any and every available quarterback.

Trevor Lawrence feeling better than expected weeks after shoulder surgery

Former Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, recently underwent a procedure on his left shoulder.

Vikings release two-time Pro Bowl TE Kyle Rudolph

While he made Pro Bowl squads in 2012 and 2017, his overall production declined in each of the past two seasons. 

Rockets will retire No. 13 to honor James Harden

Harden joined the Rockets via a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder in October 2012 and went on to make All-Star squads in each of his eight completed seasons with Houston.

Soccer legend Pele receives first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Brazilian soccer living legend Pele announced via social media on Tuesday that he has received what the Associated Press called his first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski: Odell Beckham Jr. 'doing great' recovering from torn ACL

After Cleveland's playoff elimination at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs in January, Beckham said that "it was a bittersweet season being on the outside looking in" as the Browns made their first trip to the postseason in 18 years. 

Terry Francona: 'No one has deliberately covered up' allegations against Mickey Callaway

The Athletic dropped another bombshell report regarding former Cleveland Indians pitching coach and former New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway on Tuesday.

J.J. Watt: Leaving Texans 'was extremely difficult'

Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt left the only NFL home he'd known since the 2011 draft when he and the Houston Texans officially parted ways on Feb. 12.

Former All-Pro RB David Johnson takes pay cut to stay with Texans

The Texans and Johnson have agreed to a new one-year deal that includes $4.25 million in fully guaranteed money and could be worth up to $6 million, including incentives.

FB Alec Ingold: Derek Carr can take Raiders to Super Bowl

With rumors swirling that the Raiders may look to upgrade from Carr, at least one teammate has his QB's back.

Mets' Francisco Lindor doesn't like 'Frankie' nickname?

Lindor has repeatedly said he's willing to commit his future to the organization but has added that he doesn't want negotiations to run past Opening Day and the start of the regular season. 

J.J. Watt receives permission to wear No. 99 with Cardinals

Three-time Defensive Player of the Year and five-time First-Team All-Pro J.J. Watt temporarily broke NFL Twitter on Monday when he announced that he was signing a two-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals.

Browns, Colts didn't offer J.J. Watt more money than Cardinals?

Hours after some accused three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and five-time First-Team All-Pro J.J. Watt of chasing money instead of a Super Bowl title by signing a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby on COVID-19 protocol list

It's not publicly known if Crosby tested positive for the virus or has been deemed a high-risk close contact.

Browns, Colts offered J.J. Watt more money than Cardinals?

Watt's two-year deal with the Cardinals could be worth up to $31 million.

Manchester City's Pep Guardiola says he'll sit players already celebrating league title

City haven't lost since November and remain in the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup competitions.

Alabama planning for full football stadium in the fall

With the university planning to open in-person instruction without restrictions on classroom capacity for the fall term, the hope is that Bryant-Denny Stadium will again return to a capacity of 100,077 fans in September. 

LB Pernell McPhee wants to stay with Ravens

Pro Football Focus is predicting McPhee's injury history and age could force him to sign a one-year deal that carries only $500,000 in guaranteed money.

Hawks fire Lloyd Pierce as head coach

The Hawks hope assistant Nate McMillan will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Former coach calls J.J. Watt 'selfish' player

According to Josh Reed of Buffalo television station WIVB, some within the Houston Texans, Watt's former employer, believe the Bills dodged a bullet by missing out on the three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

Texans to make QB Josh McCown a coach after his release?

It's widely assumed new Houston head coach David Culley will add McCown to his staff. Whether or not that is by choice is in question.

2021 NIT to have field of 16, take place in Dallas area

The reduced field means that the NCAA has eliminated automatic NIT qualifiers and will instead select all 16 schools as at-large participants.

17-game NFL season 'highly likely' for 2021?

Interestingly, the extra week will force the NFL to push Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles back seven days from Feb. 6 to Feb. 13 because the league never starts any season over Labor Day weekend due to concerns about television ratings through the holiday break.

Mets to discuss extensions with Lindor, Conforto 'relatively soon'

Mets president Sandy Alderson told reporters on Monday that negotiations between the club and the pair of players are on his list of upcoming errands. 

Derek Carr's brother thinks Raiders should trade for Russell Wilson?

If the Raiders make the call, one wonders if the next Carr family reunion will include a tense and awkward conversation between brothers.