Eagles Ex Zach Ertz Signs With Commanders: Details

Zach Ertz is one of the greatest weapons in Philadelphia Eagles history but the aging tight end is now heading to one of their biggest rivals.
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One of the Philadelphia Eagles' all-time great weapons is heading to one of their biggest rivals.

Tight end Zach Ertz was reportedly "in conversations" with the Washington Commanders to rejoin former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury, per Peter Schrager of NFL Network was first on the news. 

Now, Tom Pelissero is reporting that the Commanders are officially signing Ertz to a deal.

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"Three-time Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz is signing with the Commanders on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million, per source. It’s a reunion for Ertz and Kliff Kingsbury, who got him a ton of targets in Arizona, on a deal negotiated by agent and TE guru @SteveCaric of @WassermanNFL," Pelissero tweeted.

Ertz spent two and a half seasons with the Cardinals after a midseason trade with the Eagles in 2021. In those years with Arizona, Ertz made 130 catches over 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns. He was granted his release in late December of 2023 and joined the Detroit Lions practice squad during their previous playoff run to the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers. 

The former Stanford Cardinal successes though came almost exclusively with the Eagles. A second-round pick in the 2023 draft, Ertz caught 579 passes for over 6,200 yards and 38 scores. He is second in Eagles history for receptions, and fifth in yards. 

Ertz's playoff performances catapulted him from a great player to one of the biggest legends in Philadelphia sports history, though. 

In 2017, the tight end caught 18 passes, for 192 yards and a touchdown during the Eagles playoff run through Super Bowl LII. His touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter was the game-winner and provided Philly it's first Super Bowl championship team in franchise history. 

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The Commanders make a lot of sense for Ertz. Washington is expected to have a young quarterback that needs veteran receivers to grow with following the 2024 Draft. With Kingsbury now named offensive play-caller and coordinator, a reunion is officially in the works.


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Nick Faria
NICK FARIA

Nick is an NFL Beat Writer and Columnist for Sports Illustrated. He was previously on the New York Jets beat for AM New York with prior experience covering the New York Islanders, and Philadelphia Eagles. He is an Adjunct Professor for LIU Brooklyn and has prior working experience under ESPN, Pro Football Network, and CBS Sports Network.