Zach

Ertz

We’ll forgive you for forgetting that Ertz was on Detroit’s roster at the end of the 2023 season. He joined the Lions’ practice squad following his release from the Cardinals late in November. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Ertz’s deal is worth “up to” $5 million. The contract is likely worse significantly less than that with the difference being made up through incentives. Ertz didn’t appear to have much left in the tank in 2023, going for 187 yards and a touchdown through seven weeks before a quad injury landed him on injured reserve. He did, however, tally 27 receptions in those seven games. Reunited with now Commander OC Kliff Kingsbury, Ertz will be a functional check-down option for Washington but nothing more.

Washington’s interest makes sense, since offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was Arizona’s head coach when Ertz was traded from the Eagles to the Cardinals in 2021. Ertz went off fro 56 catches, 573 yards, and three touchdowns over ten games with Arizona that season. Entering his age-33 season, Ertz could function as a reliable check down option for whoever starts at QB this season in Washington.

“Really impressive,” Goff said of Ertz’s understanding of Detroit’s offensive scheme. “Not that you didn’t expect that from a guy like him who’s been around for so long. I’ve known him here and there throughout the years, and just hearing about how smart he is and how well he can pick up things, he’s done it really well this week. It’s been good.” Ertz, 33, signed with the Lions this week after playing seven games for the Cardinals before requesting his release. Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday that he wasn’t sure if Ertz would be active for the NFC title game against the 49ers.

“Right now he just got here, I know he’s in shape,” Campbell said of Ertz, who signed with the team Monday. “I talked to him the other day. He understands we’re gonna gauge this and see where we’re at.” If Ertz suits up against the Niners, he’ll likely have a limited snap count and play well behind standout rookie TE Sam LaPorta. Ertz could be ramped up for more usage in the Super Bowl if Detroit pulls the upset against the 49ers. Ertz, 33, had 27 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown in seven games for the Cardinals this season.

Ertz will join the Lions’ practice squad and has a chance to be elevated to their active roster for the NFC Championship Game on Sunday against the 49ers. The veteran tight end was released earlier in the season by the Cardinals in hopes of signing with a contender for the playoffs. While the market for Ertz remained quiet after his release, the Lions have a legitimate need for his services after an injury to backup tight end Brock Wright in Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers. Ertz is on the back nine of his NFL career, but can still prove serviceable for any team in a pinch.

Ertz was released by the Cardinals last week and is free to sign with any team. Hoping to catch on with a contender, the Ravens have drawn plenty of speculation given the injury to Mark Andrews, but Harbaugh doesn’t appear interested in the veteran tight end at this time. It’s possible Harbaugh is just playing his cards close to his chest, but second-year tight end Isaiah Likely turned in a strong rookie campaign in 2022, and Charlie Kolar has been solid in limited action through two seasons. It was reported over the weekend that the Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, and Eagles were four teams interested in signing Ertz. We’ll see if the Ravens change their tune, but for now, we’ll assume they’re out on him.

Ertz’s tank has been running low for some time, but the Eagles have vanishingly little pass-catching depth behind A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and injured starting TE Dallas Goedert. Goedert does seem likely to return from his arm injury in Week 14, but Ertz — who reportedly wants to play for a Super Bowl contender — would be a no-brainer addition for his experience and reliable hands even if he’s no longer a big-play threat. Ertz would not have TE2 fantasy value in Philly unless Goedert were to remain sidelined longer than expected. Expert Ertz to sign somewhere following Week 13’s Sunday contests.

Ertz’s request for a release was granted by the Cardinals yesterday. With no team wanting to pick up the remainder of his contract, he is now a free agent. The veteran tight end will explore his options with contending teams, though it’s hard to imagine the 33-year-old being a fantasy-relevant option anytime soon. Ertz caught 27 passes for 187 yards and a single touchdown in seven games before landing on injured reserve with a quad injury.

Ertz was placed on injured reserve with a quad injury after the Cardinals’ Week 7 loss to the Seahawks. The veteran tight end was eligible to return after Week 11, but little on his status has been mentioned since he landed on IR. Ertz caught 27 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown this season, averaging a humble 6.9 yards per reception — nearly a two-yard drop-off from last year’s 8.6 YPR. If he clears waivers, Ertz will be free to sign with any team. He doesn’t offer much as an explosive pass-catcher at this stage in his career, but Ertz could serve as a veteran presence on a contender and help in short-yardage situations.

NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo said Ertz, who has 27 receptions in the season’s first half, should return later this season, though the team doesn’t appear to have a firm timeline. In the meantime, Trey McBride should see a bump in routes and targets in the Arizona offense. Ertz this season has run a route on 70 percent of the team’s drop backs while McBride has a 32 percent route rate. Many of Ertz’s targets — he had an 18.7 percent target share through Week 7 — should now belong to McBride, who makes for an interesting waiver wire addition this week.