Zach Ertz Thanks Eagles Fans in Full Page Newspaper Ad After Trade to Cardinals
Oct 19, 2021
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz gestures as he leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on aThursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Four days after being traded to the Arizona Cardinals, Zach Ertz has said his final goodbye to the city where he played for over eight seasons.
Ertz took out a full-page ad in the Philadelphia Inquirer to thank the city of Philadelphia and Eagles fans:
Zach Ertz takes a full page out in the back section of today’s Inquirer Sports section to thank #Eagles fans and Philadelphia after his trade to the Cardinals: pic.twitter.com/9EfErZVL0p
The Eagles announced they traded Ertz to Arizona in exchange for cornerback Tay Gowan and a 2022 fifth-round draft pick.
Friday's move ended a long saga between Ertz and the Eagles organization that dates back to the offseason. There was speculation after the draft that the three-time Pro Bowler wouldn't be on the team when this season started.
Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reported in May "there still seems to be a very good chance" that Ertz would either be traded or released before Week 1.
When training camp started in July, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo noted Ertz reported despite being unhappy with the Eagles organization.
Ertz had a positive tone prior to Week 1 last month.
"Ultimately I'm here to just kind of put in the past. I'm not here to make it about me, ultimately. I'm excited be here," he told reporters. "This is the most fun I've had coming to work in a long time these past four weeks. ... It's been freeing to kind of just focus on football."
With the Eagles off to a 2-4 start, the front office elected to move on from Ertz. The Cardinals had a need at tight end after Maxx Williams suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers.
A second-round draft pick by Philadelphia in 2013, Ertz ranks second in franchise in receptions (579), fifth in receiving yards (6,267) and seventh in touchdown catches (38). The 30-year-old holds the NFL record for most catches by a tight end in a single season (116 in 2018).
Dallas Goedert, DeVonta Smith's Updated Fantasy Outlook After Zach Ertz Trade
Oct 15, 2021
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 03: Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) spikes the ball during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs on October 3, 2021 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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, leaving the franchise relatively thin at the tight end position.
However, fantasy football managers who have Dallas Goedert and rookie wide receiver DeVonta Smith on their rosters should be happy about the move.
Before Ertz was traded, he and Goedert essentially split time on the field. With the former headed out West, the latter should see significantly more snaps in the coming weeks.
Goedert was only running a route on 59% of dropbacks in a timeshare with Ertz, per Dwain McFarland of Pro Football Focus. He should now push past 80% with Ertz gone.
The 26-year-old has played 67.8% of Philly's offensive snaps through five games this season. That's not necessarily ideal for fantasy managers, though he has caught 15 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns.
Goedert should become a top target for quarterback Jalen Hurts in the coming weeks, as should Smith. The 2021 10th overall pick has caught 27 passes for 345 yards and a touchdown on 44 targets, but those numbers should increase as Hurts now has one less option to throw to.
If you don't already own Goedert or Smith, don't get your hopes up that you'll be able to claim either player soon. Goedert is owned in 73% of Yahoo leagues and Smith is held in a whopping 88% of Yahoo leagues.
Fantasy football managers who have Ertz on their roster should also benefit from the trade. The Cardinals recently placed starting tight end Maxx Williams on injured reserve with a season-ending knee injury, and Ertz is expected to fill in for the 27-year-old, who saw 17 targets and played in 66% of Arizona's offensive snaps.
Overall, there are really no losers for fantasy managers who have these players on their roster. The only losers are the managers who don't have them.
Zach Ertz's Updated Fantasy Outlook After TE's Trade To Cardinals
Oct 15, 2021
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz gestures as he leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on aThursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Thursday night, Zach Ertz was scoring a touchdown for the Philadelphia Eagles in a 28-22 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
By Friday morning, he was an Arizona Cardinal.
The Cardinals sent cornerback Tay Gowan and a 2022 fifth-round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for Ertz, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Ertz immediately jumps into the TE1 conversation with the move. He's only 30 and still flashed Pro Bowl-level talent when given a chance this season with the Eagles, who have seen their passing game struggle with Jalen Hurts at the helm.
Ertz will join a far more dynamic offense in Arizona, which entered Week 6 ranked sixth in total offense.
Kyler Murray has spread the ball around all season, with six different pass-catchers hauling in at least 16 passes and none topping more than 23 grabs.
Here is where we pump the brakes on Ertz returning to any level of superstardom. The Cardinals spread the ball around far too much to reasonably rely on any receiver week-to-week besides DeAndre Hopkins—and even he's been one of the year's biggest disappointments from a draft-value standpoint.
Maxx Williams, who will be replaced by Ertz after suffering a season-ending knee injury, reeled in 16 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown through the first five weeks. That was good for TE18 in overall scoring.
While Ertz has a higher ceiling than Williams, it's tough to imagine him being anything better than TE10-12 moving forward. The Cardinals offense is dynamic enough that Ertz should be owned in all formats, but they don't feature the tight end enough for you to blow through your FAAB to get him.
Zach Ertz Traded to Cardinals from Eagles for Tay Gowan, 2022 Draft Pick
Oct 15, 2021
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles , Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
ESPN'sAdam Schefter first reported the trade, noting Ertz is seeking a contract extension, but he didn't discuss a new deal with the Cards before the deal was finalized Friday.
One way or another, a separation appeared to become inevitable after multiple reports cast doubt about his future over the past handful of months.
As the Carson Wentz trade saga continues, some people around the league also expect the Eagles to explore options with Zach Ertz, who is bracing for a change of scenery via release or trade, per source. Perhaps Philly could include him in a Wentz trade package to maximize value
Multiple teams have called the Eagles about the possibility of trading for three-time Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz, and a deal could happen in the coming days, according to two sources familiar with the talks. @nflnetwork@AroundTheNFL
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport removed any doubt when he reported in March the Eagles allowed Ertz to seek out an exit plan.
Things had been building to this for some time.
Eagle Maven's Ed Kracz reported in October the Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers expressed interest in Ertz ahead of the 2020 trade deadline. Any chance of a move fell through when an ankle injury forced him on to injured reserve.
The 30-year-old finished with 36 receptions for 335 yards and one touchdown in 11 games, enduring one of the worst seasons of his career.
A second-round pick in the 2013 draft, the former Stanford star has shown himself to be one of the most consistent tight ends in the league. He ranks second at the position in receptions (561) and receiving yards (6,078) since entering the NFL, per Stathead.
Ertz's poor 2020 raises some questions as to whether his value is beginning to trend downward, though. That was an important consideration for the Eagles since his contract voids after the 2021 season, making him due for another one soon.
Speaking of extensions: The #Eagles reengaged on contract talks with TE Zach Ertz, which makes sense after 2 stars at the position got paid. Ertz’s stats put him on a historic pace, with more yards (5,743 vs 5,647) and catches (525 vs 468) than HOFer Tony Gonzalez thru 7 seasons.
Dallas Goedert is due to hit free agency at the same time as Ertz, and the 26-year-old might be a better investment for the Eagles on a long-term contract. At the least, keeping both would've required committing a lot of money to one area of the field.
General manager Howie Roseman also had to offset the financial ramifications of trading Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts, a move that added nearly $34 million in dead money.
Ertz is due to count for almost $12.5 million. Philadelphia will now have to absorb $7.8 million of that figure but save $4.7 million, per Spotrac.
Because it was abundantly clear Ertz was on his way out, the team didn't have a ton of leverage. His contract didn't help matters since he might only be a one-year rental for Arizona. Netting Gowan and a draft pick provides a better return than releasing him outright would've, even if it probably doesn't reflect his true value.
Ertz could ultimately be a shrewd acquisition. He's probably carrying a big chip on his shoulder because he was effectively discarded by Philadelphia, and he's playing for his next paycheck.
Judging Ertz based solely on 2020 might be a bad idea, too. In addition to any lingering effects from the ankle injury he felt, he had to deal with the fact his starting quarterback had a historically bad season based on some metrics.
The tight end has tallied 18 catches for 189 yards and two touchdowns through six games in 2021, and could bounce back within the more potent Cardinals passing attack.
Eagles Trade Rumors: Teams Calling PHI with Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert Interest
Oct 15, 2021
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 13: Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) and Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) head to the huddle during the game between the New Orleans Saints and the Philadelphia Eagles on December 13, 2020 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Eagles have been fielding interest in tight ends Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert, according to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer.
Glazer reported that "several teams" have reached out to Philadelphia about the two pass-catchers, and he speculated a trade could come as early as this week.
Ertz has caught 14 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown, and Goedert has 15 receptions for 216 yards and two touchdowns through five games.
Should a trade for one of the two materialize before the Nov. 2 deadline, it wouldn't come as a shock.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported in March the Eagles gave Ertz permission to seek out trade suitors.
His $12.7 million salary-cap hit may have dissuaded some teams from getting too serious into negotiations. He also missed five games in 2020 and matched or surpassed his career lows across the board (36 receptions, 335 yards, 9.3 yards per reception, one touchdown).
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported in June that the Eagles "have made clear they won't part for nothing in return," which was likely a road block in discussions too.
Fowler followed up Tuesday to report the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills were viewed around the NFL as likely landing spots for Ertz.
Considering the final two years of his contract automatically void, the three-time Pro Bowler would be an effective stopgap for a playoff team, and this is Philadelphia's last chance to cash in if it doesn't view him as a long-term piece of the offense.
Likewise, Goedert is in the final year of his rookie deal.
"My representation, we talked about it earlier. We thought we'd have a deal done by this time of the year," he told reporters of a possible extension in September. "But the team decided to go a different way. We haven't got that done yet."
Goedert turns 27 in January, and he has posted solid numbers (152 receptions, 1,681 yards and 14 touchdowns) considering he has shared the offense with Ertz. One would presume he isn't going anywhere.
I'm sorry, it's clear to anyone watching the @Eagles Dallas Goedert needs to be the TE focal point, not Zach Ertz! And I like Ertz.
The absence of a new deal might be telling, though.
Mark Andrews, another tight end from the 2018 draft class, got a four-year, $56 million extension from the Baltimore Ravens.
Spotrac estimates the Eagles will have the eight-highest payroll in the NFL in 2022. If push comes to shove, Philadelphia might prefer going in a different direction at tight end rather than paying Goedert at market value.
Zach Ertz Trade Rumors: Execs See Bills, Colts as Landing Spots for Eagles TE
Oct 12, 2021
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 10: Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) looks on during the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Philadelphia Eagles on October 10, 2021 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
If the Philadelphia Eagles decide to move on from Zach Ertz before the Nov. 2 trade deadline, there are at least two teams that could have interest in the veteran tight end.
Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, executives around the NFL believe the Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts are potential landing spots if Ertz is moved.
Ertz's name has come up in trade speculation often for more than one year.
Before the Eagles placed Ertz on short-term injured reserve last October with an ankle injury, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer noted the team was receiving calls about the three-time Pro Bowler.
After nothing came of those discussions, Ertz was frequently discussed during the offseason and throughout training camp this year.
Fowler reported in June that at least three clubs called the Eagles about the 30-year-old, but a move seemed difficult because Philadelphia made it clear it wouldn't make a deal just to give Ertz away.
With the Eagles off to a 2-3 start this season and Ertz in the final guaranteed year of his contract, exploring trade options makes sense for the organization.
The Colts would seem like a logical landing spot. Head coach Frank Reich was Philadelphia's offensive coordinator for two seasons from 2016-17. Ertz had 152 receptions, 1,640 yards and 12 touchdowns when Reich was running the Eagles offense.
The Bills could use additional help at tight end. Dawson Knox had a breakout game on Sunday with 117 yards and one touchdown on just three receptions. He didn't have one game with more than 50 receiving yards in the first four weeks of the season.
Ertz is owed $8.5 million this season with two void years on his contract for 2022 and 2023. He ranks fourth on the Eagles with 160 receiving yards on 14 receptions through five games.
Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott Lead Cowboys to Rout of Jalen Hurts, Eagles on 'MNF'
Sep 28, 2021
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) runs the ball out of the pocket before throwing a pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Arlington, Texas, Monday, Sept. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
The Dallas Cowboys have the pole position in the NFC East.
Dallas defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 41-21 in Monday's rivalry showdown at AT&T Stadium and improved to 2-1 on the season. Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and Dalton Schultz led the way for the victors, who have won two games in a row and sit atop the division.
The Eagles struggled on both sides of the ball throughout the game and dropped to 1-2 with their second straight loss.
Notable Player Stats
Dak Prescott, QB, DAL: 21-of-26 passing for 238 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, DAL: 17 carries for 95 yards, 2 TDs; 3 catches for 21 yards
Jalen Hurts, QB, PHI: 25-of-39 passing for 326 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTS; 9 carries for 35 yards
Zach Ertz, TE, PHI: 4 catches for 53 yards, 1 TD
Dak, Zeke Spearhead Dominant Showing for Cowboys
The Cowboys are loaded with offensive playmakers, but there were at least some question marks coming into this contest.
Michael Gallup was sidelined, Amari Cooper played through a cracked rib and Tony Pollard looked more explosive than Elliott during the last win over the Los Angeles Chargers. A first half that included a Philadelphia defensive touchdown when Fletcher Cox recovered a fumble in the end zone figured to bring more questions, but that was anything but the case.
Dallas had no trouble marching down the field, as both Pollard and Elliott ran hard between the tackles with burst and tight end Schultz made up for any concerns about wide receiver depth with a touchdown catch.
Elliott also scored twice in the first half, and the officials may have robbed the home team of more points when they questionably called Prescott short on a fourth-down quarterback sneak at the goal line.
It looked as if the offense could have used those points when it stalled on multiple possessions in the second half, but Prescott worked his magic again when the game was somewhat on the line in the fourth quarter and finished a 12-play drive by rolling out on fourth down and finding Cedrick Wilson in the end zone to all but ice the win.
The offense wasn't done, as Prescott found Schultz for another touchdown in the fourth quarter after the game was already out of reach.
There may have been some questions coming into Monday's showdown, but the Cowboys had all the answers in a blowout win.
Jalen Hurts Struggles as Eagles Offense Sputters
Part of the evaluation process for any Eagles quarterback is how they perform against the archrival Cowboys, so Jalen Hurts was firmly under the spotlight.
After all, he was picked off twice in a 20-point loss in his one start against Dallas during his rookie season, and things didn't look much better when he threw an interception and went three-and-out from the shadow of his own end zone on his opening two possessions in Monday's contest.
As it turns out, four straight punts in the first half was something of a high point for the Eagles offense because they at least didn't give up any points.
That changed on the first possession after intermission when Trevon Diggs broke the game wide open with a pick-six on another ill-advised throw from Hurts. It didn't help the quarterback that Miles Sanders seemingly wasn't involved in the game plan at all, and the Diggs touchdown helped extend the lead to 20 points and further nullified the rushing attack.
Philadelphia finally found success when it utilized some no-huddle after falling behind by so much, and Hurts capped off the drive with a touchdown pass to Zach Ertz. It was too late to realistically threaten the Cowboys with a comeback, but it at least gave the visitors some momentum after a dreadful start.
They didn't build on it, though, as penalties, no running game and pressure from the Dallas defensive front overwhelmed the Eagles until they racked up yards in garbage time. It wasn't a formula for success against any team, let alone an offense tasked with keeping up with Prescott and Co. on the other side.
Hurts is just 23 years old and will have plenty of chances against the Cowboys in the future, but he isn't off to an ideal start in the rivalry.
What's Next?
Both teams are home in Week 4 when the Eagles face the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cowboys host the Carolina Panthers.
Eagles' Zach Ertz Activated from COVID-19 List Ahead of Cowboys Game
Sep 25, 2021
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) looks down after missing the pass during the NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
The 30-year-old was the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason, but he remained with the only NFL team he's ever known through a turbulent few months of speculation about his future in the City of Brotherly Love.
Through two games, Ertz has posted three receptions for 40 yards while working in tandem with Dallas Goedert, who has six catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.
The Eagles will be looking to move to 2-1 under new head coach Nick Sirianni when they square off against the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.
Zach Ertz Placed on COVID-19 List by Eagles Ahead of Game vs. Cowboys
Sep 20, 2021
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 19: Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field on September 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Eagles announced Monday that they placed veteran tight end Zach Ertz on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
The news comes ahead of a crucial NFC East showdown against the Dallas Cowboys next Monday night.
Players who test positive for COVID-19, are vaccinated and currently asymptomatic can return to their team once they register two negative tests within 24 hours so long as they remain symptom-free. If the player is currently symptomatic, he must return two negative tests and be asymptomatic for 48 hours before being allowed to return.
If a player is vaccinated and was ruled to be a close contact to someone who tested positive for the coronavirus, he would have to test daily and wear a mask at the team's facilities but would not have to isolate.
However, unvaccinated players must isolate for a minimum of 10 days and meet a series of health requirements before returning. Unvaccinated players who were exposed to a high-risk contact must isolate for five days and will be tested daily. If all tests come back negative, they are permitted to rejoin the team.
The 30-year-old Ertz's future in Philadelphia was in question this offseason after he reportedly requested a trade and was given permission from the Eagles to seek one out.
But no deal came to fruition, Ertz and the Eagles mended fences, and he's been a regular participant through the first two games of the season.
The three-time Pro Bowler and one-time Super Bowl champion has caught three passes for 40 yards on four targets this year, splitting time with Dallas Goedert (six catches for 66 yards and a score).
Zach Ertz Says Eagles Drama Is in the Past: 'This Is the Place I Want to Retire'
Sep 1, 2021
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz looks on during the NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Zach Ertz is entering the 2021 NFL season with an optimistic outlook about the state of his relationship with the Philadelphia Eagles despite a previous rift between himself and the team.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Ertz said Philadelphia is "the place I want to retire."
The veteran tight end added both sides have apologized and mended fences.
"At the end of the day, I'm glad I'm here. I'm excited to be here."
Ertz did note that he made a point of telling his agents not to leak anything about his contract status because he didn't want to seem like he was forcing his way out of Philadelphia.
"I love this city too much to 'burn it down' like some people wanted me to do," he said.
Prior to the start of last season, Ertz made some comments that seemed to indicate the Eagles didn't consider him to be part of their long-term planning.
Zach Ertz says he wants to stay with the Eagles.
"I don't know for sure if that feeling is mutual."
Ertz says he will play this season "as if this is my last year."
"I don't think it should be too hard to get a deal done now."
NFL Network's Michael Silver reported in March 2020 that Ertz turned down an extension from the Eagles that was worth more than the four-year, $42 million deal Austin Hooper signed with the Cleveland Browns.
The tight end market has changed dramatically since that time, though. George Kittle, Travis Kelce and Jonnu Smith have each signed deals within the past 13 months worth at least $50 million in total value and average between $12.5-15 million per season.
Ertz's original five-year extension that he signed in Jan. 2016 was worth up to $42.5 million. The three-time Pro Bowler has been one of the most productive tight ends in the NFL over his first eight seasons.
In 117 career games, Ertz has 561 receptions, 6,078 yards and 36 touchdowns. Injuries limited him to only 11 games in 2020, his fewest in a single season in his career.
