Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni in the tunnel against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Reports: Eagles coach Nick Sirianni apologizes to Commanders TE Zach Ertz

Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni apologized to Washington tight end Zach Ertz for his comments during a heated exchange following the Commanders’ victory on Sunday, according to multiple reports.

The player and coach were seen meeting for the routine postgame handshake, with Ertz instead offering a high-five to Sirianni, who was his head coach during the start of the 2021 season in Philadelphia.

Instead, the two had to be separated by Eagles chief security officer Dom DiSandro, who then escorted Sirianni to a tunnel at Northwest Stadium, according to reports.

Sirianni didn’t like the intensity of Ertz’s high-five and criticized his performance in the game, to which Ertz took exception, according to a report released Thursday morning on the “Uncovering the Birds” podcast with Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Ertz, who was listed as questionable for the game after sustaining a concussion a week earlier in Washington’s 20-19 victory at New Orleans, started on Sunday and had one catch on two targets for 12 yards as the Commanders won 36-33.

Asked afterward about the incident, Sirianni told reporters: “Both of us said ‘congrats’ to each other.”

Ertz, likewise, downplayed the meeting, telling an Inquirer reporter: “We just exchanged holiday pleasantries and kept it moving.”

Sirianni, who according to reports later apologized to Ertz over a Zoom call, met with media members on Thursday. He said that he keeps conversations with players private and that he has respect for Ertz.

During the week leading up to the NFC Division contest, Sirianni said of Ertz: “I think, first and foremost, Zach is an all-time Eagle and was really honored to be around him, and he’s still playing at a high level in this part of his career.

“So, going through that and him moving on, us moving on in the organization, him getting another fresh start, that was always a tough one because I did really come to really value Zach Ertz the person, Zach Ertz the player. Enjoyed the time I had around him.”

The Eagles traded Ertz to the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 15, 2021, during Sirianni’s first season as head coach and with the Philadelphia organization.

Philadelphia selected Ertz in the second round (35th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Stanford. He has 764 career receptions for 7,972 yards and 50 touchdowns in 166 regular-season games (128 starts) for the Eagles (2013-21), Cardinals (2021-23) and Commanders.

Washington signed Ertz, 34, as a free agent in March. The three-time Pro Bowl selection (2017-19) has started all 15 games for the Commanders and has 55 receptions for 538 yards and four touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Nov 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Commanders TE Zach Ertz clears concussion protocol, will play vs. Eagles

Washington tight end Zach Ertz has cleared concussion protocol and will play on Sunday against one of his former teams, the Philadelphia Eagles, Commanders coach Dan Quinn told ESPN.

Ertz, 34, was listed as questionable because of a concussion and a shoulder issue that limited him at practice this week. He suffered a concussion during Washington’s 20-19 victory last Sunday at New Orleans.

Washington signed Ertz as a free agent in March. The three-time Pro Bowl selection (2017-19) has started all 14 games for the Commanders and has 54 receptions on 77 targets for 526 yards and four touchdowns.

Philadelphia selected Ertz in the second round (35th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Stanford. He has 763 career receptions for 7,960 yards and 50 touchdowns in 165 regular-season games (127 starts) for the Eagles (2013-21), Arizona Cardinals (2021-23) and Commanders.

Washington (9-5) is hosting NFC East leader Philadelphia (12-2) with three regular-season games remaining and also is contending for a wild-card spot.

–Field Level Media

Oct 1, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) reacts after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Lions signing Zach Ertz to replace injured Brock Wright

The Detroit Lions are signing free agent tight end Zach Ertz to the practice squad, giving them needed depth at the position after Brock Wright was lost to injury for the season, NFL Network reported Monday.

The Arizona Cardinals released Ertz earlier this season to give him an opportunity to join a Super Bowl contender, and that’s just what he did. The Lions will meet the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in the NFC title game.

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

The 33-year-old will begin on the practice squad but could be elevated to the 53-man roster before Sunday’s game.

Wright was the No. 2 tight end for the Lions this season, behind rookie Sam LaPorta. He broke a 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.

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

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

TE Zach Ertz granted request for release by Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals released tight end Zach Ertz on Thursday.

The decision to part ways was said to be mutual, per Ertz’s former teammate, J.J. Watt.

The Cardinals will move on with tight end Trey McBride while Ertz will head to waivers.

Ertz, 33, was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 24 due to a quad strain. He sustained the injury two days earlier in Arizona’s 20-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Ertz has 27 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown in seven games this season.

This is the second straight season that Ertz has landed on IR. Last season, he tore his ACL and MCL in a Week 10 game against the Los Angeles Rams.

A Super Bowl champion with Philadelphia, Ertz has caught 709 passes for 7,434 yards and 46 touchdowns in 151 career games with the Eagles (2013-21) and Cardinals.

McBride, 24, trails only wideout Marquise Brown for the team lead in catches (48) and receiving yards (521). He also has one touchdown reception. Brown has 51 receptions and 574 receiving yards to go along with four scores.

–Field Level Media

Oct 1, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) reacts after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Cardinals TE Zach Ertz (quad) headed to IR

The Arizona Cardinals are putting tight end Zach Ertz on injured reserve, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

Ertz will miss a minimum of four games because of a quad strain, but the plan is for him to return this season, per the report.

He suffered the injury in Sunday’s 20-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The earliest Ertz could return is Nov. 26 against the Los Angeles Rams.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Ertz has 27 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown on the season.

This is the second straight season that Ertz has landed on IR. Last season, Ertz tore his ACL and MCL in Week 10 during a game against the Rams on Nov. 13.

Ertz, 32, had 47 receptions for 406 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games, all starts, in 2022.

In 11 NFL campaigns, he has caught 709 passes for 7,434 yards and 46 touchdowns.

The Cardinals (1-6) host the Baltimore Ravens (5-2) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals' Zach Ertz speaks during a news conference at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe on April 11, 2023.

Report: Cardinals’ Zach Ertz (knee) cleared for full activity

Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz has been cleared for full football activity after suffering a major knee injury last year that required surgery, NFL Network reported Monday.

Ertz, 32, tore his ACL and MCL in Week 10 during a game against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 11.

He told reporters in December his goal was to be ready for the beginning of the 2024 season, and according to the NFL Network report, Ertz is in line to start Week 1.

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 Bowl selection in three straight seasons in 2017-19.

The Cardinals open the season Sept. 10 on the road against the Washington Commanders.

–Field Level Media

Oct 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (86) against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals TE Zach Ertz leaves with knee injury

Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz left Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams with a knee injury and was ruled questionable to return.

Ertz made a catch in the first quarter and was brought down by a pair of Rams defenders before he began to favor his knee. He went to the sideline and was later taken by a cart to the locker room as the first quarter was coming to a close.

Ertz’s 12-yard catch off a pass from Colt McCoy was his lone reception of the game.

McCoy also left briefly during the third quarter with a left leg injury but returned to the game. McCoy started Sunday’s game for an injured Kyler Murray (hamstring).

Acquired in a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles last season, Ertz had 46 receptions for 394 yards and four touchdowns this season entering Sunday. In 10 seasons, the three-time Pro Bowl selection has 681 receptions for 7,235 yards and 45 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) celebrates his touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles trade veteran TE Zach Ertz to Cardinals

The Philadelphia Eagles traded veteran tight end Zach Ertz to the Arizona Cardinals on Friday in exchange for cornerback Tay Gowan and a 2022 fifth-round draft pick.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl LII champion, Ertz had been with the Eagles since 2013 and ranks second in franchise history with 579 receptions — 10 shy of record-holder Harold Carmichael.

Ertz, 30, caught four passes for 29 yards and a touchdown in a farewell performance Thursday night, a 28-22 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.

“He will always be a member of the Eagles family, not only because of what he accomplished on the field, but also because of the wonderful person, dedicated leader, and exemplary role model that he was for nine seasons in Philadelphia,” Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie said.

An emotional Ertz spoke Friday afternoon in Philadelphia.

“What a journey it’s been. What an amazing journey, what an amazing eight-plus years, nine years here,” Ertz said. “Obviously I’m extremely excited to be going to the Arizona Cardinals and play with a team that is rolling right now and be able to add my skill set to that team. Ecstatic about that situation.”

Still, he’s leaving a piece of himself behind.

“This is home. Philadelphia is home,” Ertz continued while choking up. “… I love this place. I’ve said it all along. It was a great opportunity to be here. I loved it here.”

Drafted in the second round out of Stanford in 2013, Ertz finishes his Eagles career with 6,267 yards and 38 touchdowns in 123 games (85 starts). He posted career highs in 2018 with 116 receptions for 1,163 yards and eight scores.

Ertz caught seven passes for 67 yards and a touchdown in Philadelphia’s 41-33 victory against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.

Ertz reportedly was seeking a new contract from the Eagles but has not yet discussed his contract situation with the Cardinals, according to ESPN. He is owed about $5.5 million for the remainder of this season.

Although not eligible to play this Sunday when Arizona (5-0) visits the Cleveland Browns (3-2), Ertz is in line to take over for the injured Maxx Williams. Williams, 27, is out for the season with a knee injury suffered in last Sunday’s 17-10 victory against the San Francisco 49ers.

The Cardinals’ tight end depth chart also includes Darrell Daniels and Demetrius Harris.

Dallas Goedert, the Eagles’ other top tight end, missed Thursday night’s game on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Gowan, 23, is a rookie sixth-round pick out of UCF and had yet to play for the Cardinals this season.

–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

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

Dec 27, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) runs the ball after making a catch in the fourth quarter against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (24) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles’ Zach Ertz won’t attend voluntary workouts

Philadelphia Eagles fans are continuing to prepare for a future without tight end Zach Ertz, and Ertz is affirming that stance by staying away from the team’s voluntary workouts, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The workouts begin on Tuesday, and Ertz is expected to miss the full offseason program as his uncertain situation finds resolution.

Ertz is seeking to be traded by the team or released.

The Eagles’ options include keeping Ertz and his $12,721,500 cap number for 2021, but neither side was able to make progress toward a contract extension last season.

The Eagles could save $8.5 million in cap space, according to a CBS Sports report, if they designate him as a post-June 1 cut.

As for trade possibilities, the Eagles were aiming to acquire a third- or fourth-round pick for Ertz prior to the draft.

Ertz, 30, had a relatively unproductive 2020 season, catching only 36 passes for 335 yards and a touchdown amid struggles with 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