Tag: Ertz

Jan 18, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) celebrates touchdown pass with quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) during the second quarter in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Commanders TE Zach Ertz and under-the-radar storylines on Championship Sunday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen certainly are going to do their part. And Saquon Barkley might have his own chapter in the Commanders’ defensive game plan. Nobody doubts the significance of Jayden Daniels’ role for Washington.

But the matchups within the matchups are set to determine which teams advance on Championship Sunday to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on Feb. 9.

We reviewed the critical concerns in each game to determine five under-the-radar players who will determine the outcome this weekend. The first in the series moving Thursday-Saturday: Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz.

Under-the-radar might be a stretch considering Ertz has some kind of history in Commanders-Eagles lore. On Sunday, he’ll be locked in as a key security option near the line of scrimmage for quarterback Jayden Daniels as Washington tries to dent the NFL’s top-ranked defense.

He’ll be performing on a stage and in a stadium that might feel like home.

Ertz was one of the best tight ends in Eagles’ history. Only Hall of Famer Harold Carmichael has more receptions in Philadelphia history with 589.

Ertz caught 579 receptions and 38 touchdowns with more than 6,000 receiving yards in eight-plus seasons in Philadelphia before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals.

But after two-plus injury-ravaged seasons and at age 33, Ertz found a new home with the Commanders in free agency.

“When that whistle blows, it’s not going to be about the previous nine years that I had there,” Ertz said this week.

Ertz signed with the Commanders in a reunion with former Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury. It wasn’t a challenge to get on the same page or tout his ability in the red zone. He leads the Commanders with 25 targets and 16 catches in the red zone, including the playoffs.

Already over the emotional curtain of returning to his old home stadium — Washington visited Philadelphia in November — Ertz said he’ll be too focused on a game plan and making his presence felt than anything in his past.

“I’m not going out there with a chip on my shoulder or trying to prove to people X, Y or Z. I’m just trying to go out there and be the best version of myself,” Ertz said.

Part of his responsibility is keeping Daniels upright. The Eagles intercepted Daniels three times in two regular-season matchups, but blitzing didn’t work. Daniels leads the NFL in completions and touchdowns against the blitz and threw five TD passes the last time he saw Philadelphia, a 36-33 win Dec. 22 at Washington.

Daniels was sacked just once in that game, but the Commanders are shuffling their line with right guard Sam Cosmi (torn ACL) unlikely to play. We say unlikely because the Commanders haven’t placed him on IR and list him as DNP on their practice reports.

Daniels has targeted Ertz 100 times this season — nine in the playoffs — with a finishing kick. He caught a touchdown last week at Detroit and has seven total TD receptions since the first visit to Philadelphia two months ago.

“I just wanted the opportunity to come out here and prove that I am still the same guy,” Ertz said.

–Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) celebrates his touchdown reception against the Cincinnati Bengals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Oct. 8, 2023.

Report: TE Zach Ertz to sign 1-year deal with Commanders

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Veteran tight end Zach Ertz is signing a one-year contract worth up to $5 million with the Washington Commanders, NFL Network reported on Wednesday.

The move returns Ertz, 33, to the NFC East and also reunites him with his former head coach. He finished last season on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad, therefore he didn’t have to wait until the new league opens next Wednesday to sign with a new team.

Ertz played his first eight-plus seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles in the same division. He was traded to the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 15, 2021, and played there under head coach Kliff Kingsbury, who recently was hired as new head coach Dan Quinn’s offensive coordinator in Washington.

Ertz caught 27 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown in seven starts with the Cardinals in 2023.

The three-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl LII champion has 709 catches for 7,434 yards and 46 TDs in 151 games (113 starts) with the Eagles and Cardinals. Philadelphia drafted him in the second round in 2013.

–Field Level Media

Tight end Zach Ertz (86) runs with the ball after making a catch next to San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Lions sign TE Zach Ertz, DL Tyson Alualu from practice squad

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Detroit Lions signed tight end Zach Ertz and defensive lineman Tyson Alualu from the practice squad on Wednesday, placing tight end Brock Wright on injured reserve with a broken forearm.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell confirmed Wednesday that Ertz was in the building and passed a physical before a team confirmation landed later in the afternoon.

Ertz took part in his first practice since he was released by the Arizona Cardinals to give him an opportunity to join a Super Bowl contender. The Lions will meet the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in the NFC title game.

Alualu has appeared in the past four games for the Lions due to injuries.

Getting Ertz up to speed in the offense is more of a concern than conditioning, Campbell said.

“I know he’s in shape. We’re have to gauge this and see where he’s at. He’s played at a high level — it’s just a matter of, is this the week to use him,” Campbell said.

Ertz won Super Bowl LII as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Wright was the No. 2 tight end for the Lions this season, behind rookie Sam LaPorta. He broke his forearm in the second quarter of Sunday’s NFC Divisional Playoff win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Ertz, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, played in seven games for the struggling Cardinals in 2023, catching 27 passes for 187 yards with one touchdown. He caught six passes for 63 yards for the Cardinals at San Francisco on Oct. 1.

In 151 career games (113 starts) with the Eagles (2013-21) and Cardinals (2021-23), Ertz has 709 receptions for 7,434 yards with 46 touchdowns.

Lions tight ends coach Steve Heiden is familiar with Ertz, having coached the same position for the Cardinals from 2019-22.

–Field Level Media

Nov 6, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) leaves the field after facing the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals TE Zach Ertz had surgery to repair ACL, MCL

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Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz said Thursday that he underwent surgery to repair both his ACL and his MCL after suffering a season-ending left knee injury last month.

“We didn’t think the ACL was involved early on,” Ertz told reporters at a press conference where he accepted the Cardinals’ Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

“And then it just was partially torn and it wouldn’t have lasted long-term, so we had to get in and get both done. I’m glad it’s behind me now.”

Ertz said his goal is to be ready for Week 1 of the 2023 season but is only in the beginning stages of his rehab process.

Ertz, 32, was carted off the field Nov. 13 during a 27-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams. NFL Network reported at the time that he had suffered a season-ending knee injury.

The veteran tight end was in his first full season with the Cardinals after spending the bulk of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles traded him to Arizona before the deadline in 2021.

Ertz had 47 receptions for 406 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games, all starts, in 2022. In 10 NFL campaigns he has caught 682 passes for 7,247 yards and 45 touchdowns. He was a Pro Bowler for three straight seasons in 2017-19.

–Field Level Media

Nov 13, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury talks to quarterback Colt McCoy (12) during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Kyler Murray remains day-to-day; Zach Ertz done for season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Monday that starting quarterback Kyler Murray remains day-to-day with the hamstring injury that parked him in Week 10.

Murray missed Sunday’s win over the Los Angeles Rams after testing out his hamstring in pregame warmups.

Colt McCoy earned the start, but he, too, left the game with a leg injury. Trace McSorley came on to close out the 27-17 win for the Cardinals.

The updates come the same day the team reportedly released backup running back Eno Benjamin and amid a report that starting tight end Zach Ertz (leg) is out for the rest of the season.

Kingsbury said the team wants Murray to be able to go full bore on the field before bringing him back. However, McCoy’s leg was “a little better” Monday, making him a question mark heading into this week’s prime time contest against division rival San Francisco this week.

McCoy threw for 238 yards and a touchdown against the Rams without a turnover.

Murray, 25, has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 2,168 yards, with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions this season. He’s also rushed for 359 yards and two scores.

Benjamin, 23, started three games earlier this season when James Conner was injured. However, he played just one offensive snap against the Rams.

“it was time to give him (James Conner) the starting running back reps,” Kingsbury said Monday.

Benjamin rushed for 299 yards and two TDs in 10 games this season. Benjamin was a seventh-round draft pick by the Cards in the 2020 draft.

Kingsbury didn’t provide an update on tight end Zach Ertz, who was carted off Sunday after sustaining the leg injury. However, NFL Network reported Ertz is done for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Ertz finishes with 47 catches for 406 yards and four TDs in 10 games.

The Cardinals (4-6) host the 49ers (5-4) on “Monday Night Football” in Week 11.

–Field Level Media

Jan 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) waves towards the crowd before a home game against the Seattle Seahawks.Nfl Seahawks Vs Cardinals

Report: Cardinals, TE Zach Ertz agree to three-year deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz will not reach unrestricted free agency, agreeing Sunday to a three-year extension, per multiple reports.

Ertz agreed to a contract worth $31.65 million, including $17.5 million guaranteed, NFL Network reported.

Ertz, a three-time Pro Bowl selection with the Eagles, was traded from Philadelphia to the Cardinals in October.

He totaled 74 receptions in 2021, and with the Cardinals Ertz recorded 56 catches for 574 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games.

The 31-year-old spent eight-plus seasons with the Eagles.

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) runs against Atlanta Falcons safety Duron Harmon (21) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles TE Zach Ertz tests positive for COVID-19

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Eagles tight end Zach Ertz was placed on the COVID/reserve list on Monday.

There is ample time for Ertz to get back in the fold, as Philadelphia plays the Dallas Cowboys on “Monday Night Football” to end Week 3.

Ertz would require two negative tests 24 hours apart to be cleared medically under the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols for vaccinated players. Ertz has discussed his decision to be vaccinated publicly.

Dallas Goedert has worked his way ahead of Ertz in the Eagles’ tight end rotation.

Ertz had one reception for six yards Sunday in a the Eagles’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He caught two passes for 34 yards in the opener at Atlanta.

–Field Level Media

Aug 19, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) takes the field against the New England Patriots at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

TE Zach Ertz feels love in Philly again, wants to stay

Posted on | by Field Level Media

His relationship with the team “mended” and stronger than ever, tight end Zach Ertz plans to stay in Philadelphia as long as the Eagles will have him.

In a reversal from a strong springtime demand to be traded, Ertz said Wednesday he feels great physically and wants to commit to being with the franchise after apologies were made.

“This is the place I want to be, this is the place I want to retire,” Ertz said via Zoom. “I’m moving on from everything that happened this offseason. There have been apologies.”

The Eagles opted to keep Ertz and his $12,721,500 cap number for 2021 when minimal progress was made in trade talks, per reports.

The Eagles could have saved $8.5 million in cap space if they designated him as a post-June 1 cut.

Ertz said he hasn’t been this excited to come to work “in a long time.”

Ertz had a relatively unproductive 2020 season, catching only 36 passes for 335 yards and a touchdown while fighting an ankle injury.

A second-round pick of the Eagles in 2013 (35th overall), Ertz has more than 300 receptions and 3,000 yards – with 23 touchdowns – since the 2017 season began.

The three-time Pro Bowl selection has 36 touchdowns, 561 catches and 6,078 yards in 117 games (82 starts) over his eight seasons.

Ertz is a football hero in Philadelphia, having caught the fourth-quarter TD pass to put the team ahead during its Super Bowl LII win over the New England Patriots.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) before action against the Seattle Seahawks in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

TE Ertz uncertain Eagles want him in Philly

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Zach Ertz said he is preparing to play the 2020 season as if it will be his last with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Ertz and the Eagles broke off contract talks and he has two years remaining on his current contract.

Thursday, Ertz said he would love to finish his career with the Eagles, adding “I don’t know for sure if that feeling is mutual.”

Ertz said he doesn’t believe a deal should be difficult to complete even with a newly set market at the position.

In August, the San Francisco 49ers signed George Kittle to a five-year, $75 million extension ($40 million guaranteed), and the Kansas City Chiefs and Travis Kelce agreed to a four-year, $57.25 million deal ($20.75 million guaranteed). Austin Hooper inked a four-year, $42 million contract ($23 million guaranteed) with the Cleveland Browns in March.

Ertz, 29, has two years remaining on a five-year, $42.5 million contract he signed in January 2016. He is due to make $6.66 million this year.

The offer Ertz turned down in November was worth more than the contract Hooper signed, NFL Network’s Mike Silver reported after the Hooper signing in March.

In speaking with the media in August, Ertz said he thought he was among the elite tight ends in the NFL.

“I do consider myself in … that same tier with all those guys,” he said on a Zoom call with reporters in the aftermath of the Kittle and Kelce deals. “I don’t mean any disrespect, but I think a lot of guys in this building feel the same way about me. I’m never in the business of comparing people. I think all three of us are at the top of our games, and I think we’re all perfect in the offense that we play in, honestly. I think we all have unique skill sets. We’re all very different, with some similarities. But overall I don’t think my game is any less than any of their games.”

Ertz is expected to pass Harold Carmichael in 2020 as the most prolific pass catcher in Eagles history.

In his first seven seasons in the NFL — all with the Eagles — Ertz has 525 catches for 5,743 yards with 35 touchdowns in 106 games (71 starts). He is a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

Carmichael had 589 career catches.

–Field Level Media