Zach Ertz

The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly discussing trades for tight end Zach Ertz. At the same time, they're working to secure their future at the position should those offers materialize.

Dallas Goedert, who is eligible for a contract extension as he heads into the final year of his rookie deal, told reporters his "contract stuff is still in discussions," but is eager to get something down on paper. 

"If I could get the contract extension, I would love to be in Philly forever," he said. "Having the second contract is the ultimate goal. The sooner you can get to it, I feel like is the better." 

Ertz is not participating in the voluntary portion of the offseason program at this point, something that isn't expected to change, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. 

That puts Goedert, the team's second-round pick out of South Dakota State in 2018, at the forefront of the position group. The 26-year-old has started nine games for the Eagles in each of the past two seasons. A calf injury limited him to a career-low 11 games in 2020, though he averaged a career-best 11.4 yards per reception en route to finishing with 524 yards and three scores.

In 2019, he had 607 yards and five scores on 58 receptions through 15 games. 

Ertz has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason after the team gave the three-time Pro Bowler permission to look for a deal back in March. The 30-year-old has played all eight seasons of his career in Philadelphia. 

The Eagles recognize his worth and have maintained since the initial report that they want something in return for Ertz. They doubled down on that stance, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, who wrote they've "made it clear" they're expecting legitimate offers and are unlikely to release their 2013 second-round pick. 

The Eagles have already made other major changes this offseason, parting ways with quarterback Carson Wentz and head coach Doug Pederson, and they're more than primed to survive the loss of Ertz with a receiving group that includes Jalen Reagor and DeVonta Smith alongside Goedert. 

Summertime is here.

OK, so technically summer doesn't begin until June 20. But Memorial Day weekend has come and gone, and that marks the unofficial beginning of summer.

It's also past the first of June—and that marks an important date on the NFL calendar.

Now that we're into the month of June, we should see player movement once again ramp up. The reason is simple: By waiting until after June 1 to trade or release a player, an NFL team can spread out any prorated bonus money over two years as opposed to just one.

Confused yet?

Here's an example. Let's say a player is signed to a four-year pact that includes $10 million in bonus money. One year into the deal, the team realizes that player isn't a fit and decides to trade or release him.

If said team deals or releases said player before June 1, the entire $7.5 million in remaining bonus money hits that year's cap. After June 1, only the original $2.5 million that would have already counted on that year's cap hits. The other $5 million won't hit the cap until the following year.

Given the reduced salary cap in 2021 and the big spike in the cap expected to come in 2022, that bit of creative accounting can be a big deal for cap-strapped franchises.

This part of the NFL calendar isn't just about players getting traded or released, either. With those moves potentially clearing money off the books and teams locking up their rookie classes, there will also be another wave of free-agent signings as veterans who have languished on the market since March finally find work.

The NFL calendar truly is a perpetual motion machine, and as this latest cog fires up here's a look at some of the dominoes we could soon see fall via trades and/or cuts—dominoes that could have a sizable impact on how the 2021 season plays out.

             

Aaron Rodgers Standoff

The domino that towers above all others in the NFL is one that doesn't appear to be falling anytime soon.

As Matt Schneidman reported for The Athletic, a source within the Packers organization indicated Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst has no intention of trading disgruntled quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

"The Packers would trade Rodgers if they believed he was truly committed to never playing for them again and wanted to get draft picks and players in return instead of forcing him to retire and receiving only the money they'd keep from him refusing to play in any of the final three years on his contract," he wrote. "According to a source, however, general manager Brian Gutekunst is still holding firm to the stance that he 'will not' trade the reigning NFL MVP."

Rodgers has reportedly indicated he would sooner retire than play in Green Bay unless things are fixed "to his liking." Gutekunst appears to be willing (as things stand) to call that bluff. There's a mandatory minicamp in mid-June (that Rodgers all but certainly won't show up for), and then training camp proper starts on July 27.

You can expect this burgeoning soap opera to be a dominant storyline in the NFL over that entire period.

             

Julio Jones Trade

Aaron Rodgers isn't the only NFL superstar who has made headlines of late.

With the Atlanta Falcons tight against the salary cap, there have been rumors that wide receiver Julio Jones could be moved swirling for some time. As ESPN's Michael Rothstein reported, those rumors kicked into hyperdrive when Jones told Shannon Sharpe of FS1 that "I'm outta there" during a televised interview.

However, it appears that any potential Jones deal has hit a snag.

From what I’ve been told, the price for Julio Jones in talks with at least one team was a first round pick, plus players. That’s steep and I have a hard time believing the #Falcons get that. And there’s also the reality that Julio may want a new deal, too. https://t.co/7vl1yn5e4i

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) June 1, 2021

Jones is unquestionably a fantastic player—or at least, was. But the odds that another team will pay a first-round pick for a 32-year-old receiver coming off arguably the worst season of his career with a $23 million cap hit in 2021 are slim to none.

The odds that a team will give up a first-rounder plus players lean toward the none part.

Per Over the Cap, the Falcons currently possess the second-least cap space in the NFL—less than $350,000. Trading Jones will clear $15.3 million off the books. It's wiggle room the rebuilding team badly needs.

There's no shortage of teams who could have interest in Jones, including WR-needy clubs like the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans.

But for any deal to get done, the Falcons are going to have to come to grips with the fact that given Jones' age, injury history and salary, a Day 2 pick is the best they're gonna get as the centerpiece of a trade.

            

Zach Ertz Trade

This is another trade that has reportedly been in the works for some time—and of the ones mentioned so far, it's probably the most likely to actually happen soon.

For several years, Zach Ertz of the Philadelphia Eagles was considered one of the best tight ends in the league, making three straight Pro Bowls from 2017 to 2019. But last year the 30-year-old recorded the fewest receiving yards and touchdowns of his career, and with Dallas Goedert on the roster and the Eagles able to clear over $8 million off the books by releasing or trading Ertz, it has long been rumored that he could be on the move,

However, via ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Eagles aren't just going to give Ertz away.

Talks on a potential Zach Ertz trade have been ongoing for quite some time but fairly quiet of late. At least three TE-needy teams have looked into this. Eagles have made clear they won't part for nothing in return, making a release unlikely. Things could pick back up this week.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) June 1, 2021

According to Brandon Lee Gowton of SB Nation, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was originally believed to be looking for a third-round pick in return for Ertz. After his injury-marred 2020 season and headed into the last year of his contract, that could be pushing it. But there are a few playoff contenders in need of tight end help like the Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts who could use a boost at the position.

           

Edge-Rusher Emporium

There isn't a team in the NFL that isn't looking to boost the pass rush just about every season. And there are a few established edge-rushers who could be on the market as the summer warms up.

Back in 2018, Danielle Hunter of the Minnesota Vikings inked a five-year, $72 million extension. Since then, he has tallied two 14.5-sack seasons (2018 and 2019) and missed all of the 2020 season with a neck injury.

Hunter is reportedly unhappy with that contract and didn't show for OTAs, leading to speculation that he could be made available in a trade. A deal would save the Vikings $12 million and change against the cap.

It was just two years ago that Trey Flowers signed a five-year, $90 million contract with the Detroit Lions. It's a deal that makes him the team's highest-paid player in 2021, and while his numbers haven't been eye-popping, the 27-year-old has played relatively well with his second team.

But that big contract was signed by the old Lions regime, and with a new coach, new defensive scheme and the opportunity to clear $14.4 million off the books, Detroit may well at least listen to offers.

There have been calls for the Houston Texans to at least consider trading edge-rusher Whitney Mercilus dating back years.

After logging just four sacks last year and headed into the final season of his contract, the 30-year-old isn't going to net a king's ransom. Or a prince's. In fact, Houston already re-did Mercilus' deal, adding voidable years that will leave the team staring at $7 million in dead money in 2022 no matter what.

The Texans are a hot mess, and getting anything at all for Mercilus in 2021 beats getting nothing in 2022. It also saves the team $4.5 million against the cap. Mercilus has averaged six sacks a season over his career, and he could add some cheap pop to a team like the cross-state Cowboys.

        

Other Trade and Cut Candidates

There's a flip side to all those players who could be traded over the next few weeks. Some others might find themselves without a team altogether if teams can't work out a deal.

And at least one may just get the gate.

Back in March 2019, Landon Collins signed a whopping six-year, $84 million contract with Washington. But after piling up 117 total tackles in his first year with the team, he missed nine games a season ago with an Achilles tear.

With the emergence of youngster Kamren Curl last year and the signing of Bobby McCain in free agency, the WFT has a bit of a logjam at safety, and releasing Collins now would save the team a hair over $12.7 million against the cap.

All Jordan Hicks did as a member of the Arizona Cardinals in 2020 was lead the team with 118 total tackles. That came after piling up 150 in his first season in the desert the year before. But after spending a first-round pick on an off-ball linebacker for the second straight year, the Cardinals gave the 28-year-old permission to seek a trade. So far there have been no takers, although that could change as we move farther into the summer and the injury bug starts biting teams in camp.

To say C.J. Mosley's first two seasons at linebacker with the New York Jets haven't gone as planned is an understatement.

After signing a massive five-year, $80 million pact in 2019, the 28-year-old made it through all of two games in 2019 before going down for the season and opting out of the 2020 campaign altogether.

Releasing the four-time Pro Bowler isn't really realistic—the Jets would eat almost $16 million in dead cap money. A trade is another story—it would save the team $6 million and get them out from under one of the league's uglier contracts.

At least three teams have reportedly discussed a potential trade for tight end Zach Ertz with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Fowler noted a release is "unlikely" because the Eagles are looking for something in return through a trade.

Ertz has a $12.7 million cap hit for 2021, but Philadelphia can save $8.5 million against next year's salary cap by trading or releasing the veteran after June 1, per Spotrac.

The 30-year-old finished 2020 with 36 catches for 335 yards and one touchdown, a significant drop-off after three straight Pro Bowl selections. Ertz had at least 70 catches and 800 yards in each season from 2015 to 2019, totaling 116 receptions in 2018, before an ankle injury slowed him down last season.

Ertz was also a key part of the 2017 Eagles squad that won the Super Bowl, scoring a key touchdown late in the win over the New England Patriots.

Philadelphia has gone through significant changes since then, moving on from head coach Doug Pederson and quarterback Carson Wentz. The team also looks ready to move forward with a group of exciting young pass-catchers led by Dallas Goedert, Jalen Reagor and 2021 first-round pick DeVonta Smith.

It could lead to Ertz finding a new team after spending his entire eight-year career with the Eagles.

The trade market for Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz might not be as strong as the franchise would like at this point in the offseason. 

According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, rival clubs no longer view Ertz as an elite tight end like George Kittle or Travis Kelce. That could lead to Eagles general manager Howie Roseman holding onto the three-time Pro Bowler into training camp to see if the market picks up. 

"Having talked to teams, and in part because of his health issues, most say Ertz looks heavier, stiffer and slower now than he did in his prime," Breer wrote. "He’s also turning 31 this year and is due a lump-sum $8.5 million in this, the final year of the contract extension he signed back in 2016. Now, knowing the kind of guy Ertz is, I’m not going to tell anyone that he can’t rebound from a bad 2020. But at his age, he’d be beating the odds to do so."

Breer believes the Eagles won't attempt to give up Ertz for a late-round draft pick or a comparable return. 

Ertz, the No. 35 overall pick in 2013, had been notably durable throughout the early stages of his career, playing in at least 14 games in each of his first seven seasons. It wasn't until 2020 when injuries began hampering his play more significantly. 

The Stanford alum suffered a high-ankle sprain that limited him to just 11 contests in 2020. He finished with 335 yards and one touchdown after not having tallied fewer than 800 yards and two scores since 2015. 

Ertz will become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2021 season regardless of what the Eagles do with him this year. That could make things a bit more difficult for both sides if a deal is going to be completed. 

With the veteran in a contract year, Ertz has all the motivation to prove he isn't as slow and stiff as some scouts believe. Doing so won't only benefit whichever team he spends the 2021 season with, but could lead to his next big payday as his NFL career continues. 

Philadelphia Eagles veteran tight end Zach Ertz did not report to the team's voluntary workouts on Monday, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. 

Per McLane, Ertz "isn’t expected to report for the remainder of the offseason program or until his situation is resolved (read: he’s traded or released)."

Ertz, 30, is a three-time Pro Bowler and has been one of Philadelphia's most consistent weapons since being selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. But he had the least productive season of his career in 2020, setting career lows in receptions (36), receiving yards (335), touchdowns (one) and games played (11). 

With the Eagles moving on from quarterback Carson Wentz and setting themselves up for a rebuild around younger players like quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Miles Sanders and wideout DeVonta Smith, it feels as though Ertz's time with the Birds has come to a close. 

In March, reports emerged that the Eagles had granted him permission to seek a trade, though nothing has materialized to this point. And the Eagles don't seem inclined to simply release Ertz, despite his significant cap hit ($12.7 million in 2021) likely making it harder to deal him:

Roseman on Ertz: "Zach's a really good player and really good person. He's under contract... This isn't a guy in the twilight of his career. He's still in his prime. ...We feel really good about the kind of player he is, and we've got to do what's best for our team."

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) May 1, 2021

The Eagles probably would be fine bringing Ertz back for another year, giving Hurts a pair of solid tight ends to work with—Dallas Goedert has emerged as an excellent weapon as well. 

But if the right deal comes along, the Eagles aren't going to say no. Until it does, don't expect to see Ertz around the team. Where things will get very interesting is if no deals materialize heading into training camp. 

The 2021 NFL draft came and went without the Philadelphia Eagles trading tight end Zach Ertz, but his tenure with the organization may still come to an end soon.

According to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia, there "still seems to be a very good chance" that the Eagles will trade or release Ertz before the start of the 2021 season.

Ertz, 30, has spent his entire eight-year NFL career with the Eagles, and he is under contract through 2021, as the final two years on his deal automatically void, per Spotrac.

During his time in the NFL, Ertz has been among the premier tight ends with three Pro Bowl nods and five straights seasons of at least 74 receptions and 800 receiving yards from 2015-19.

For his career, the one-time Super Bowl champion has 561 catches for 6,078 yards and 36 touchdowns to his credit. Included in that was the career year he enjoyed in 2018 with 116 grabs for  1,163 yards and eight touchdowns.

Among tight ends in Eagles history, Ertz is first in receptions and second in receiving yardage and touchdowns behind only Pete Retzlaff.

Given all he has accomplished, it stands to reason that several teams would be in the market to sign Ertz if he gets released. The fact that he wasn't traded at the draft suggests teams may simply be waiting the Eagles out at this point.

There is some level of concern regarding Ertz and whether he is on the downside of his career, though, as he finished last season with just 36 receptions for 335 yards and one touchdown in 11 games, all of which were career lows.

In defense of Ertz, his poor production may have been a direct result of poor quarterback play, as the Eagles benched the struggling Carson Wentz for the last month of the season and turned to rookie second-round pick Jalen Hurts.

Ertz is only two years removed from a season in which he made 88 catches for 916 yards and six touchdowns, so there is reason to believe he has something left in the tank.

There are many NFL teams with a need at tight end who could conceivably make a run at Ertz.

The Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts are among those that stand out.

All of those teams could make the playoffs in 2021, and adding a productive veteran tight end like Ertz would potentially go a long way toward making those teams even deeper and more difficult to defend.

The 2021 NFL draft is over, and now the focus turns to the host of veterans who are either available via free agency or on the trading block.

Three such examples are Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz and free-agent running backs Le'Veon Bell and Todd Gurley.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Ertz has been granted permission to seek a trade after eight years in Philly, and Bell and Gurley, who were among the most productive running backs in football in the mid-to-late 2010s, are each looking for a new home.

All three are likely past their career peaks, but they've all been excellent at times and could certainly show flashes of their old forms with a fresh start elsewhere.

Here's a look at two potential landing spots for Ertz alongside two more for the free-agent backs.

      

Zach Ertz

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals don't have a clear No. 1 tight end right now. The top two options on the depth chart are Maxx Williams and Darrell Daniels, who each had just eight catches last year. Dan Arnold, who was Arizona's No. 1 tight end in 2020, is now a Carolina Panther after leaving the Cardinals in free agency.

Arizona chose against picking a tight end in the 2021 NFL draft, so the door is still open for a veteran to come in and assume the starting position. Enter Ertz, who would be a great fit in Arizona.

The Cardinals have some dynamic talents in superstar DeAndre Hopkins, electric rookie Rondale Moore and sure-handed Christian Kirk, but they could use someone for short and intermediate routes to move the chains.

That player has been future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald of late, but he hasn't yet committed to returning to the team after completing his 18th season.

Ertz can more or less assume Fitzgerald's receiving role in that respect as a short-yardage guy/additional safety blanket for Kyler Murray.

      

Indianapolis Colts

The tight end room is admittedly packed right now with Jack Doyle, Mo-Alie Cox and rookie Kylen Granson, whom Indianapolis took No. 127 overall in the draft, all occupying spots.

But Ertz would arguably be the best pass-catching option of all of them despite having a down year in 2020 (36 catches, 335 yards, 11 games).

He had 204 catches in his previous two seasons, and while Ertz is likely on the downside of his career (ninth NFL season, 31 years old in November), he's also been one of the most consistent tight ends in football over the past decade.

In Indianapolis, he could link up again with a pair of old friends in quarterback Carson Wentz (Philly's signal-caller from 2016 to 2020) and head coach Frank Reich (Philadelphia's offensive coordinator from 2016 to 2017).

The Colts are obviously pot-committed into ensuring Wentz has all the weapons he needs to develop into Indianapolis' long-term solution at quarterback after a rough ending to his Philly tenure, and bringing in a player like Ertz could only help as Wentz acclimates to his new team.

       

Le'Veon Bell and Todd Gurley

Miami Dolphins

ESPN's Cameron Wolfe gave a rundown on what the Dolphins' backfield situation looks like post-draft after Miami added Cincinnati's Gerrid Doaks in the seventh round:

"Myles Gaskin appears to one of the biggest winners of draft weekend as he still holds the Dolphins lead back role with Salvon Ahmed and veteran signing Malcolm Brown forming a steady three-headed backfield. Receiving back Patrick Laird and Doaks will compete for the final spot in the running back room with special teams likely playing a role for the winner."

Gaskin paced the team with 584 rushing yards in 10 games. He also added 41 catches for 388 yards. The versatile Gaskin deserves a shot to be Miami's No. 1 back.

The Dolphins added former Los Angeles Rams back Malcolm Brown, and Salvon Ahmed, who fared well in spelling Gaskin late in the season when he was sidelined, is still on the roster. Both are capable to spell Gaskin if needed, but Bell and Gurley could be solid No. 2 options themselves and give the team plenty of carries if called upon.

They have plenty of experience carrying backfields in years past, and while their primes are in the rearview mirror, Miami could benefit from having a more established veteran in case Gaskin is forced to miss time.

        

Tennessee Titans

It's the Derrick Henry show in the Tennessee Titans' backfield, and everyone else the Titans employ to play running back is simply there to spell the superstar on rare occasions.

Jeremy McNichols out of Boise State leads the pack behind Henry, who should easily surpass 300 touches yet again provided he stays healthy.

The issue is if Henry is forced to miss time. Can the Titans trust McNichols, who has just 61 lifetime touches in four years with four teams?

Or are they better off putting their faith in a player like Gurley or Bell, who has plenty of experience carrying the load in the backfield on a weekly basis?

McNichols did well with limited opportunities in 2020, gaining 204 rushing yards on 47 carries (4.3 yards per carry). He also caught 12 passes and could very well be the answer if Henry has to sit.

But Bell or Gurley could be better options. They routinely soaked up targets and touches during their heyday and could be better insurance policies to handle the bulk of the backfield carries if needed.