Zach Ertz

Tight end Zach Ertz's eight-year run with the Philadelphia Eagles seems likely to conclude this offseason. 

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Ertz and the Eagles "appear ready for a clean break" after failed contract negotiations prior to the start of last season and a disappointing 2020 campaign. 

The Eagles have reportedly been exploring trade opportunities for the three-time Pro Bowler. 

Per Ed Kracz of Sports Illustrated, the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks have had trade conversations with Philadelphia about Ertz. 

The Eagles must navigate a difficult salary-cap situation this offseason. Spotrac estimates they are $41.5 million over the projected $185 million cap. 

Carson Wentz is the biggest potential trade candidate among Eagles players. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported Monday on The Herd with Colin Cowherd (h/t CBS Sports' Jeff Kerr) that the Chicago Bears are the front-runners to acquire Wentz.

"I do know that there is a feeling inside the building from [general manager] Ryan Pace, the coaching staff, [head coach] Matt Nagy, John DeFilippo, their pass-game coordinator who got two of the best years out of Carson Wentz in 2016 and 2017 as his quarterback coach, they believe mechanically they can fix him," Breer said.

However, Breer noted Wentz appears to favor the Colts as a landing spot because of his relationship with head coach Frank Reich, who was Philadelphia's offensive coordinator in 2016 and 2017.

Ertz publicly addressed the "frustrating" contract negotiations he had with the Eagles last September. 

"I said all along I want be here for the long run," he told reporters. "I don't know if for sure that feeling is mutual. I'm going to play this year like it's my last year." 

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported at the time that Philadelphia's offer included a lot of backloaded money and less in guarantees than a previous proposal made in November 2019. 

Ertz is owed $8.25 million in base salary next season with a $12.47 million cap hit, per Spotrac. He also has a $7.8 million dead-cap hit.

The Eagles drafted Ertz in the second round in 2013 out of Stanford. He had at least 800 receiving yards and 74 receptions in five straight seasons from 2015 to 2019 but posted a career-low 336 yards in 11 games last year.  

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz and New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore are reportedly among the notable trade candidates to watch during the 2021 NFL offseason.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano reported Tuesday the expected drop in the salary cap because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic will lead some teams to trade high-priced players, creating an opportunity for front offices with financial wiggle room.

"More than ever, executives are willing to at least discuss possibilities with big-ticket players," Fowler and Graziano wrote. "Thirteen teams have more than $20 million in cap space. Others will get creative while trying to get there."

Fans have already received a taste of what could become a memorable offseason, with the Los Angeles Rams acquiring quarterback Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions for a pair of first-round draft picks, a third-round selection and fellow signal-caller Jared Goff.

That move should firmly place the Rams in the group of NFC contenders for 2021, and other teams that feel they're a piece or two away from contention will likely consider similar blockbusters.

Beckham, Ertz and Gilmore could similarly make a major impact elsewhere if moved.

The Browns wide receiver was limited to seven appearances in 2020 before suffering a season-ending torn ACL. He'd previously recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in five of his first six years split between Cleveland and the New York Giants.

It's a similar story for Ertz, who missed five games last season with an ankle injury. Before that he was one of the league's most impactful tight ends, scoring 22 touchdowns from 2017 through 2019.

Gilmore was the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year but likewise only played 11 games in 2020 because of time on the COVID-19 list and a partially torn quadriceps.

So interested teams would be betting on a bounce-back year from any of those three stars, but there's no doubting their game-changing upside when healthy.

When you combine their potential availability with the trade request from Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, the NFL landscape could look quite different by September.

As the Philadelphia Eagles weigh trade offers for quarterback Carson Wentz, they may be shopping another core member of their roster.

"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," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler tweeted Saturday.

Meanwhile, a source told Ed Kracz of SI.com that the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts have had discussions with the Eagles about trading for the three-time Pro Bowl tight end. 

If the Eagles are committed to parting ways with Wentz and embarking on a new era with sophomore second-round pick Jalen Hurts at quarterback, trading Ertz makes a lot of sense.

Philadelphia is currently about $49 million over the projected salary cap for 2021. Dealing Wentz before June 1 would free up less than $1 million in cap space, and reworking contracts for highly paid veterans such as Lane Johnson, Fletcher Cox, Darius Slay, Brandon Brooks, Brandon Graham, Alshon Jeffery, Javon Hargrave or Malik Jackson will only worsen financial burdens later. 

An Ertz trade would immediately free up $4.7 million in salary-cap space for a team that already has an inexpensive (for now) tight end in Dallas Goedert. The 26-year-old averaged 8.1 yards per target in 2020, compared to only 4.7 for Ertz. He also dropped far fewer passes (one versus five) in the same number of games (11 each), and he caught a far higher percentage of passes thrown his way (70.8 percent versus 50.0 percent). 

The Eagles should be willing to deal Ertz either on his own or to sweeten the deal for any team willing to take on Wentz's gigantic contract. 

Where might Ertz land? 

Ertz and Wentz to the Colts? 

Trading Wentz and Ertz together to one team would be the cleanest approach for the Eagles, and the Colts make the most sense in that regard. Indianapolis head coach Frank Reich coached both players when he was the Eagles' offensive coordinator in 2016 and 2017, and Indy has more than $69 million in projected cap space. 

The Colts have a glaring vacancy under center after Philip Rivers' retirement. At tight end, Jack Doyle hasn't performed at an elite level since 2017, Mo Alie-Cox has 46 career catches and four touchdowns, and Trey Burton is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next month. 

With a top-of-the-line defense, a strong offensive line and quality pieces elsewhere on offense, the Colts have to be all-in. Wentz and Ertz didn't get it done in Philadelphia over the last few years, but you couldn't blame Reich for wondering if getting the band back together in a new setting might pay off. 

You also couldn't blame him for believing he has little to lose and no significantly more appealing options. The Colts aren't loaded with draft capital after a playoff appearance, and they're unlikely to convince the Houston Texans to trade Deshaun Watson within the division.

Acquiring Ertz along with Wentz might make up for the fact they'll owe $25.4 million to a quarterback who posted the lowest qualified passer rating in the NFC last season. 

Increased support for Russell Wilson in Seattle?

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has recently expressed his frustration regarding a perceived lack of support and his lack of involvement in personnel decisions. It makes sense that Seattle is reportedly interested in Ertz, who would be a tremendous upgrade at a key position. 

Will Dissly started in 12 of his 16 appearances last season, but he scored only two touchdowns and finished as the team's fifth-leading receiver. Greg Olsen retired last month, Jacob Hollister is an impending free agent, and 2020 fourth-round pick Colby Parkinson has two career catches. Ertz could step right in as a lethal complement to top outside weapons DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.

Like the Colts, the Seahawks have to be in win-now mode. Wilson is 32, left tackle Duane Brown is 35, Bobby Wagner is 30, and Jamal Adams and Metcalf will soon become a lot more expensive. 

Adding Ertz won't break the bank, but it would increase Seattle's chances of making a deep run in 2021. 

A potential wild card: Cincinnati Bengals 

Cincinnati is loaded with salary-cap space and could use another security blanket for young quarterback Joe Burrow in his sophomore season.

The Bengals spent a second-round pick on Drew Sample in 2019, and the Washington product caught 40 passes for 349 yards and a touchdown this past season. But head coach Zac Taylor, a Sean McVay disciple, might relish having the talent to utilize two tight ends a la Gerald Everett and Tyler Higbee in Los Angeles. 

The Bengals aren't splashy, but Ertz would bring some valuable experience and leadership to a young team at a relatively low cost. They have the draft capital to swing a deal after winning only four games in 2020. 

Don't rule these teams out

Buffalo Bills: Buffalo spent a third-round pick on Dawson Knox in 2019, but he might not be a full-time solutionm, and Ertz could provide a major upgrade over Tyler Kroft as a partner for Knox. The Bills are a Super Bowl contender, and landing Ertz would bolster their chances by providing extra support for quarterback Josh Allen.

Carolina Panthers: No Panthers tight end had more than 20 catches or 150 yards last season, and they have a moderate amount of draft capital and cap space. They might figure it'd be worth giving quarterback Teddy Bridgewater another established target ahead of a make-or-break year. They might also consider adding Wentz, too. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags lead the league in projected cap space, and they might want to provide presumptive top pick Trevor Lawrence with an experienced top tight end rather than James O'Shaughnessy or Tyler Eifert, both of whom may not return next season. 

New England Patriots: The Pats have been looking for a tight end ever since the Rob Gronkowski era came to an end. They did draft two in the third round last year (Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene), but they could chase Ertz if they want to make one more run in 2021. They do have the cap space and the draft capital to make it work. 

New York Jets: New Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur can't bring George Kittle from San Francisco, but he could lobby for the team to acquire someone from the next tier of tight ends. The Jets have five picks in the first three rounds of the draft and are loaded with salary-cap space, but it would make just as much sense for them to pursue Hunter Henry on the free-agent market. 

All financial figures via Over the Cap.

Brad Gagnon has covered the NFL for Bleacher Report since 2012. Follow him on Twitter: @Brad_Gagnon.

While much of the focus surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles is on Carson Wentz, the team could also trade tight end Zach Ertz this offseason. 

According to Ed Kracz of Sports Illustrated, the Eagles have had conversations with the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts about a potential trade for the three-time Pro Bowler.

Ertz is coming off a rough 2020 where he finished with 36 catches and a career-low 335 receiving yards, but he had been one of the league's most consistent players before that. From 2015-19, he had at least 70 catches and 800 yards each season.

The 30-year-old has spent his entire eight-year NFL career with the Eagles and was a key part of the team's Super Bowl run in 2017. The problem is the squad already has his replacement ready to go in Dallas Goedert and likely don't want to pay the $12.5 million cap hit for Ertz in 2021.

Philadelphia can save $4.7 million by trading or releasing the tight end, per Spotrac. Moving him after June 1 would save the squad $8.25 million against the 2021 cap.

Finding a trade would be beneficial for the Eagles, regardless of what comes in a return package.

Seattle could be a quality fit based on the limited production at tight end in 2020. Will Dissly led the position with 251 receiving yards while he combined with Greg Olsen and Jacob Hollister for six total touchdowns.

Russell Wilson has enjoyed playing with receiving tight ends in the past, throwing 10 touchdown passes to Jimmy Graham in 2017, while Zach Miller was a reliable option earlier in the quarterback's career. With DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett on the outside, Ertz could find a lot of room in the middle of the field and have a resurgence with Seattle.

With Indianapolis, Ertz would be reuniting with former Eagles offensive coordinator and current Colts head coach Frank Reich. The veteran could be an upgrade over Jack Doyle, who had just 23 catches in 2020 after signing a three-year extension.

The Colts can save $4.3 million by releasing Doyle this offseason, per Spotrac.

The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly in a "holding pattern" with Carson Wentz and "nothing is imminent on a deal," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday on SportsCenter.

"As one source involved told me, 'what's the rush?' His guaranteed money at $10 million roster bonus is not due until mid-March. So these teams are sort of sitting back, waiting this out knowing the Eagles originally wanted a huge haul they don't want to give."

Wentz's 2021 salary becomes fully guaranteed on March 20 featuring a $34.7 million cap hit, per Spotrac.

Fowler also noted tight end Zach Ertz could be included in a trade package along with Wentz.

"They're good buddies, they could go somewhere together," he noted.

"The Eagles have been seeking a large return for Wentz, reportedly asking for a Matthew Stafford package," ESPN's Adam Schefter previously reported on Get Up.

The Los Angeles Rams sent Goff plus two first-round picks and a third-round pick in exchange for Stafford.

This asking price might be ambitious based on what Wentz showed in 2020. The 28-year-old led the NFL with 15 interceptions despite playing only 12 games, finishing with a career-low 72.8 quarterback rating. He was eventually benched in favor of 2020 second-round pick Jalen Hurts.

Philadelphia could trade the veteran along with Ertz, who had a career-low 335 receiving yards in 2020, and start fresh with Hurts and tight end Dallas Goedert as key parts of the offense.

Including Ertz in a trade would also help clear $4.7 million worth of cap, per Spotrac. The Eagles would save $8.25 million if he is traded or released after June 1.

The Eagles can remain patient trying to find the perfect trade to set the team up for the future.

The Philadelphia Eagles may be looking to offload tight end Zach Ertz in addition to quarterback Carson Wentz this offseason, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. 

Sources tell Fowler the team could try to include Ertz in a deal with Wentz, move him separately or grant him a full release ahead of the 2021 season. Ertz, 30, is under contract through 2021 and carries a $12.5 million cap hit next year, per Spotrac.

The three-time Pro Bowler has spent his entire eight-year career in Philadelphia and helped the team capture the 2017 Super Bowl. Ertz appeared in a career-low 11 games last season after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 6. He finished the year with just 335 yards on 36 catches with one touchdown. 

Over the three prior seasons, however, Ertz put up 2,903 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns on 278 catches over 44 games. He averaged more than 10 yards per catch every year of his career until 2020. That might make the California native an attractive buy-low candidate.

It's unclear what the market for Ertz looks like or how his inclusion in a Wentz trade could help the Eagles deal their former franchise QB. 

Among the top tight ends scheduled to hit free agency in March are Hunter Henry, Rob Gronkowski, Jared Cook, Tyler Eifert, Trey Burton, Jonnu Smith and Demetrius Harris. Ertz's past performance makes him one of the top tight ends in that group. 

If nothing else, he gives Philadelphia a bit more room to operate in trade talks for Wentz.

After wrapping up a difficult season, tight end Zach Ertz hopes to remain with the Philadelphia Eagles next year.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Ertz admitted he wasn't sure if he had played his last game with the Eagles.

"I don't know," the three-time Pro Bowler said. "I want to be here. Maybe I come back. This was a tough year."

Ertz added he didn't receive assurances from the Eagles prior to the season that he would be released instead of traded this offseason if the team makes changes. The 30-year-old said his relationship with general manager Howie Roseman is "good" and they haven't discussed his contract since the beginning of the season.

NFL Network analyst Mike Silver reported in March (h/t Sports Illustrated's Ed Kracz) that Ertz turned down an extension during the 2019 season that would have paid him more than the four years and $44 million Austin Hooper later received as a free agent from the Cleveland Browns.

Ertz told reporters in September that "it's been frustrating at times" when talking about a deal with the Eagles because he wasn't sure if they wanted him anymore.

"I've said all along I want to be here for the long run. I don't know for sure if that feeling is mutual," he said. "But I know I'm going to play this year like it is my last year and I'm going to leave everything I possibly have in the tank for this team and this city, because that's what this city deserves, nothing less."

That same month, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Ertz and Roseman had a "heated discussion" after an Eagles practice.

The tight end has been a staple of Philadelphia's offense since the organization drafted him in the second round in 2013. He had six straight seasons with at least 700 yards receiving from 2014 to 2019, and he led the team in receptions for four consecutive years (2016-19).

This season was a mess for Ertz. He missed five games because of injuries, amassed a career-low 335 yards receiving and tied his career low with 36 receptions.

The Eagles have Ertz under contract for one more season with a $12.5 million cap hit. His dead-cap number for 2021 is $7.8 million, per Spotrac.