Zach Ertz: Playing in Washington helped me 'fall back in love with the game again' Tight end Zach Ertz knew his NFL career wasn't over, but finding a place to start over at 33 years old isn't easy, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports. Landing in Washington with the rebuilding Commanders -- new coach, new quarterback, new direction -- who hadn't won consistently in decades would present the latest challenge.. "I just wanted an opportunity to come out here and prove that I am still the same guy," Ertz said Wednesday, via The Philadelphia Inquirer. The guy was an Eagles stalwart for eight-plus seasons, generating three Pro Bowls and playing a key role in Philly's first Super Bowl victory. Following a midseason trade in 2021 to Arizona, Ertz strayed out of thought and time. He battled through injury, playing in 28 games in two-and-a-half seasons with the Cardinals, finding himself less productive than at any point in his career in Philadelphia. Following former coach Kliff Kingsbury to D.C. offered a chance to revitalize his career. "It was really an opportunity for me to just fall back in love with the game again," Ertz said, "and really just enjoy the process again and just be around people that know how to use me and allow me to be at my best. It's just been so much fun. It's exceeded all my expectations. Obviously playing with a quarterback like Jayden (Daniels) has helped a ton and just his humility and eagerness to grow." Ertz was an Eagles go-to target for much of his eight-plus seasons in Philly. His 579 career catches with the Eagles are the second-most in club history (589 by Hall of Famer Harold Carmichael). He owns the team record for most catches, receiving yards (6,267) and receiving TDs by a tight end (38). In Washington, the now 34-year-old plays a different role. He's more security blanket than stat padder. "It's not the volume for me anymore," Ertz said. "I've had all the stats that I need to have. It's just about making an impact however I can." Ertz's impact comes in the big moments. The tight end leads Washington with 25 targets and 16 catches in the red zone. He has eight red-zone TD receptions, including playoffs, in 2024, tied for second-most among tight ends. He's battled through concussion and shoulder issues, and a rib concern that had him on the injury report this week. Yet he didn't miss a contest this season, providing a calming leadership to a team galvanized quickly under Dan Quinn. "I still feel like we're just scratching the surface together as a quarterback-tight end relationship, even though it's the NFC championship," Ertz said. "I still feel like there's so much room to grow." In the Divisional Round win over Detroit, Ertz caught his first playoff touchdown since Super Bowl LII in the Eagles' win over New England. On Sunday, Ertz will become the second player in NFL history to have a game-winning TD in the Super Bowl for a team and face that team in the playoffs down the road, joining Santonio Holmes, who scored a game-winning TD in SB XLIII for Pittsburgh and then lost to the Steelers in the 2010 AFC Championship Game with the New York Jets. Ertz is looking for a different ending to that unique statistic. "I understand the environment it's going to be," Ertz said. "I understand how I'm going to be received this time versus last time. Everyone knows how I feel about that building, the people in that building, the people in that community. Our foundation is still doing work out there for a reason. But at the same time, I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that we're giving ourselves a chance to win the football game. When the whistle blows, it's not going to be about the nine years I had there, it's going to be about trying to make as many plays for this team as possible. "I'm not going out there with a chip on my shoulder or trying to prove to people X, Y or Z. I'm just trying to go out there and be the best version of myself."

1 minute ago, jamiller said:

Which emoji is the GTFOH one?

👞🏃‍♂️🚪

7 minutes ago, mattwill said:

Spreading opinions.  Nothing more, nothing less.

flawed ones. 

 

59 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:

Have the sacks gone up since he's gone more conservative?

Can go through the season 

GB- 2 sacks 

Atl- 1 sack

NO- 4 sacks

TB- 6 sacks 

bye

CLE- 1 sack

NYG- 5 sacks

CIN- 0 sacks

Jax- 3 sacks 

DAL- 5 sacks

Was- 2 sacks 

Rams- 1 sack

Balt- 2 sacks 

car- 4 sacks

Pit- 3 sacks 

Was— 4 sacks 

dal- 0 sacks

Nyg- 2 sacks

GB- 2 sacks 

rams- 7 sacks

6 minutes ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

 

They didn't!!!!! YESSSSSSSS. They are f'ed now!!!!

11 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

If we happen to lose Moore...

Lions should be all over that. 

but would be happy to replace moore with him if necessary

 

The older I get, the more floored I am after finding out how many fans have superstitions and how serious they take them. 

4 hours ago, HazletonEagle said:

It's not a shtick. When he has a good game I say so. There was a time this year that I applauded his performance.  Some people noticed.  Probably everyone forgot.  I call it straight during games.  And throughout the week,  I try to help people see the truth. 

How very noble and pure of heart.

 

10 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

flawed ones. 

That’s your opinion.  It too might be flawed.

1 minute ago, LeanMeanGM said:

 

That's a relief ..... what about Goedert?

15 minutes ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

 

You almost have to assume at this point....it's an Eagles fan doing this right?

1 minute ago, mattwill said:

That’s your opinion.  It too might be flawed.

Its definitely not. 

16 minutes ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

 

I thought that was kind of killed when a team did that and we lost?

7 minutes ago, we_gotta_believe said:

The older I get, the more floored I am after finding out how many fans have superstitions and how serious they take them. 

I was never superstitious but some of them I do find interesting to hear about. It'll add to the 'fun' even if I don't believe it

 

28 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

I really dont care about the list. We know he is capable of so much more. We know there have been a TON of passing yards left on the field by our QB. Not because we ran the ball, but because of the performance of the QB.

It feels like we’re only getting around a 70% utilization rate out of both AJ and DeVonta. Especially AJ because he could easily be putting up Chase/Jefferson stats. A lot of that is because of Hurts but it’s also because the identity of this team is Saquon and the run game. This team is basically those Titans Henry/Tannehill teams on steroids. They are trying to buck an historical trend of winning it all with just the run game. 
 

We’re lucky that DeVonta doesn’t have a typical WR ego because he would want out of here. He is capable of a lot more and would be a #1 on a lot of other teams. 

2 minutes ago, BDawk_ASamuel said:

It feels like we’re only getting around a 70% utilization rate out of both AJ and DeVonta. Especially AJ because he could easily be putting up Chase/Jefferson stats. A lot of that is because of Hurts but it’s also because the identity of this team is Saquon and the run game. This team is basically those Titans Henry/Tannehill teams on steroids. They are trying to buck an historical trend of winning it all with just the run game. 
 

We’re lucky that DeVonta doesn’t have a typical WR ego because he would want out of here. He is capable of a lot more and would be a #1 on a lot of other teams. 

AJ definitely good, and I believe DeVonta could be putting up that kind of production as well.  Even with the current run game, these guys could be doing a lot more. 

23 minutes ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

 

Note to self: @e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! follows thicc n tired on twitter

You know, I was wondering last night if they would do this. It would be the most Dallas thing ever.

8 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:

I thought that was kind of killed when a team did that and we lost?

Shhhh..... I just sent the thicc n tired tweet to an associate partner at our firm whos a vikings fan and said "You guys saw first hand when you dressed Rocky in Vikings gear"

 

After I hit send is when I noticed it was a tweet by @e-a-g-l-e-s eagles!'s favorite follow thicc n tired.

45 minutes ago, we_gotta_believe said:

Unlike Dan Campbell, I think Dan Quinn is a little bit smarter about when and where to go for it on 4th. For some reason, a majority of NFL head coaches either aren't good at math or just reject the concept of win probability outright. It's too bad, because it's one of the lower hanging fruits.

Normally I'd agree with you, but his decision in the game at the Linc to go on 4th down instead of kicking a FG to go up 13-12 was ridiculous. And we stopped them.

43 minutes ago, mattwill said:

Spreading opinions.  Nothing more, nothing less.

Yup...they exist as is...just a reflection of someone's thoughts in a moment in time. They are usually tied to a value or belief system so the mature thing to do with them is to  allow the other person to express their reality as is...they can be agreed upon, disagreed upon but not up for debate. I can also acknowledge and respect their right to share an opinion. The best response to a disagreeable option is to share one of your own. HE is not fully evolved when it comes to emotional intelligence.