Washington Commanders TE Zach Ertz Retiring After 2024?
The Washington Commanders have a lot of new faces - from executives to coaches and, especially, players.
With new faces comes new opportunity ... but also considerable turnover. And with head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters looking to turn the Commanders' tide, setting a strong foundation is important.
One prime example is tight end Zach Ertz, who signed a one-year contract worth up to $5 million on March 6, providing a security blanket to Washington's offense.
But Ertz may not be around for long.
Bleacher Report listed 10 players who could retire after the 2024 season, and Ertz, who set career lows with 27 catches for 187 yards across 10 games with the Arizona Cardinals last season, was No. 3 on the board.
"Over the last two years, Ertz has missed 17 games. Now a 50-50 player in terms of availability, he could be on his way out of the league after the 2024 campaign," Bleacher Report writes.
Ertz enjoyed a dominant three-year stretch from 2017 to 2019 with the Philadelphia Eagles, making the Pro Bowl each season while accumulating 278 receptions for 2,903 yards and 22 touchdowns.
He was amongst the game's best tight ends - then suddenly, he was overtaken by Dallas Goedert, traded to the Cardinals in 2021, was released by Arizona midseason in 2023, enjoyed a brief stint on the Detroit Lions' practice squad and now finds himself in Washington.
The Commanders' depth chart at tight end includes John Bates, Cole Turner and Armani Rodgers, leaving the door open for Ertz to have a role in an offense likely led by a rookie quarterback.
In essence, Ertz could help shape the future of Washington's franchise - even if the possibility exists he's only around for one season.