Before Week 13, word leaked out that veteran tight end Zach Ertz had been released by the Arizona Cardinals, sparking rumors that he would join the Philadelphia Eagles, the team that drafted him, in hopes of winning another Super Bowl. Although that sounds intriguing, the Eagles shouldn’t really consider it. Here are three explanations for this:
Although Ertz has established himself as a dependable pass receiver over the course of 11 years, his physical attributes have changed. As such, he does not fit in with the Eagles. In addition, the Eagles system requires tight ends to be athletic and possess a blocking ability that Ertz has never had.
Pro Football Focus reports that Ertz has not performed well this season as a blocker in the passing game (29.4) or the rushing game (51.8). Ertz isn’t much of an upgrade over the Eagles’ backup tight ends, Grant Calcaterra (64.3 pass, 77.7 rushing) and Jack Stoll (51.8 pass, 60.7 running). His restrictions would definitely limit the instances in which he may be used by the club and make him less effective overall.
Dallas Goedert, a starter, will return soon: After suffering a fractured forearm against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9, the starting tight end for the Eagles is getting close to making a comeback. He is probably not going to play in the team’s rematch of the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13, but he should be ready to play the following week when the Eagles play the Cowboys for the second time.
Goedert has been missed by the Eagles’ offense because it is difficult to replace a tight end who has had 50 or more receptions in three of the previous four seasons. It would make more sense to use Ertz throughout the last stretch of the regular season if it were anticipated that Goedert would miss more time. But because that isn’t the case, Ertz would only be insurance. Which, while somewhat unnecessary, is not a bad thing.
Eagles need more urgently: The Eagles don’t need as much at tight end with Goedert recovering. One place, nevertheless, is in need of an overhaul. With starting linebacker Zach Cunningham’s (hamstring) status uncertain and the Eagles’ linebacker play lacking this season, the team may use a seasoned player to step in and contribute. Shaq Leonard, a newly freed former Indianapolis Colt who the Eagles have previously met, is one.
While Leonard had to have two back surgeries prior to his November release, he is not without his struggles, as is the 33-year-old Ertz, who is now recovering from a quad ailment. A backup tight end should be preferred above a prospective starting linebacker, even though adding both players couldn’t harm.
With the exception of Goedert, Ertz is still a talented tight end and may be the Eagles’ best pass-catcher. Some, though, might be succumbing to nostalgia and mistakenly believing that Ertz was the person who sealed the Eagles’ triumph in Super Bowl LII. Adding Ertz shouldn’t be the Eagles’ first priority, but he could still triumphantly return to Philadelphia and perhaps make a little influence.
