Zach Ertz may be entering his final days as a Philadelphia Eagle.
According to Mike Silver of the NFL Network, several teams asked about a possible switch to the Eagles’ tight end and a switch could happen “in the next few days”.
Ertz, 30, has been with the Eagles since they drafted him in 2013, but it is very evident that his time in Philadelphia is coming to an end. During the 2019 season, the Eagles and Ertz team failed to reach an agreement, and this continued into the last off-season.
Before the 2020 season, Ertz publicly questioned whether the Eagles were really committed to him and even had an animated discussion with Howie Roseman at the NovaCare Complex. Then Ertz continued with the worst statistical season of his career. He took 36 passes for 335 yards and 1 touchdown in 11 games.
And after the 2020 season ended, Ertz basically said goodbye to Eagles fans in a tearful interview with Zoom.
“I am not someone who holds a grudge at all,” said Ertz the day after the end of the 2020 season. “I really love everything that this organization stands for and a lot because Mr. (Jeff) Lurie, Howie (Roseman) and Doug (Pederson) manages it in a certain way. Obviously, it is a business. This was the first time that I tried this business. So, for me, I will never hold a grudge. Everyone is trying to do their job the best they can, just like I am every week, and I’m excited about the future. “
This season, Ertz has a base salary of $ 8.5 million and a salary cap of more than $ 12.7 million. If the Eagles trade or release Ertz, they will save nearly $ 5 million in much-needed capitalization space.
The Eagles are working on several ways to become compatible with the salary cap by the start of the new league year on March 17. A negotiation could not be carried out until then.
Whenever Ertz leaves, he will leave an impressive legacy in Philadelphia. The choice of the second round had three seasons in the Pro Bowl and was recently one of the most productive tight ends of the NFL. Ertz even shone on the biggest stage, making two great plays in the Super Bowl LII, including the touchdown reception.
Perhaps Ertz will be able to return to his Pro Bowl form elsewhere in 2021, but the Eagles are working to become younger and become the cast. It’s time to move on until he returns to be inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame.
Subscribe to the Eagle Eye podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | Watch on youtube