Veteran tight end Zach Ertz reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the deal is worth up to $5 million with incentives.
The move reunites Ertz with new Commanders’ offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. The two previously worked together when Kingsbury served as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
Ertz was once considered one of the best tight ends in the game, making three straight Pro Bowls between 2017 and 2019 as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2018, he set the NFL record for most catches by a tight end with 116 while finishing the season with 1,163 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
However, Ertz’s production has dipped significantly in recent years as a result of injuries. This was particularly the case last season when he had just 27 catches for 187 yards in the first seven games before landing on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury.
Ertz ended up being released by the Cardinals upon his request in November and later signed with the Detroit Lions’ practice squad. However, he wasn’t featured in a single game while with the Lions.
In Washington, Ertz is expected to replace veteran Logan Thomas, who was released last week as a cap casualty. The Commanders are also expected to draft a tight end at some point in the 2024 NFL Draft.
