It appears that there was a need to report over the weekend that the Eagles were exploring an exchange for Zach Ertz.
The Eagles have been exploring a deal for their Pro Bowl tight end for many months, although perhaps part of that exploration has been pushed into the background because of, well, you know, the quarterback taking the lead and the center.
An NFL source said the Eagles talked about Ertz with the Seattle Seahawks and the Indianapolis Colts.
Before last season’s negotiation deadline, the Eagles had offers from the Baltimore Ravens and the Green Bay Packers, but Ertz suffered a sprained ankle and fell into the Injury Reserve, virtually guaranteeing that he would end his eighth season in Philadelphia.
It is not inconceivable that Carson Wentz and Ertz could be negotiated in a package to perhaps increase the return that the Eagles would receive in such a huge negotiation, but, most likely, the Eagles will unlink the two, since any team that catches the pair is absorbing two big prices for your salary cap.
Ertz has another year on the contract, but a new deal could be negotiated when it is negotiated. Either way – new deal or not – Ertz’s contract is still $ 8.2 this season.
The Eagles could trade Ertz before Wentz, but it is believed that Wentz will be the first domino to fall into a deal.
The Seahawks make a lot of sense to Ertz, if, of course, Russell Wilson is not traded.
Wilson spoke last week about his unhappiness due to an offensive line that has allowed his body to accumulate with wounds and bruises over the years and that the board has never shown much interest in making the wall in front of him more resilient.
Well, Wilson could easily express his frustration at the lack of weapons in the tight end.
Seattle made a choice in the fourth round against Colby Parkinson last year, but Parkinson, who is from Stanford, the same school that produced Ertz, played only six games and had two receptions for 16 yards.
Will Dissly played in all 16, but he only had 24 receptions for 251 yards, which was almost the same production he had in 2019.
That’s it on the team’s depth chart at the moment, with Jacob Hollister and Luke Willson scheduled for free agency.
Even at 30, Ertz presents figures like Parkinson and Dissly did in their sleep.
Ertz would be a good option from below for Wilson to find before a hot opponent’s passing rush while he waits for his WRs to open.
As for the Colts, well, Ertz would definitely like to play again for his former Philadelphia and Indy coach Frank Reich, but the Colts’ tight end situation is a little better than that of Seattle and who plays as a defender in Indianapolis it is still very very unknown.
Jack Doyle is a strong tight end blocker and Mo Alie-Cox is developing very well. Noah Togiai, a former non-hired Eagles free agent last year, looks promising and Trey Burton is set to be a free agent.
Ertz would be a welcome addition to this formation.
As interesting as it was an Ertz-Wentz deal for Indy, and one that Indy could pay, since they have a lot of money below the expected salary cap of around $ 180 million, how about an Ertz-Andre Dillard deal for the Colts , who need a tackle to replace Anthony Castonzo’s retirement?
Dillard is expected to face Joran Mailata to be the left striker, but Mailata has proven that he can do the job more than properly.
If Ertz is dealt directly to any team, the compensation will not be overwhelming. A fourth round choice can be as good as it potentially could be.
Ed Kracz is the editor of EagleMaven at SI.com. Check out the latest Eagles news at www.SI.com/NFL/Eagles and follow him on Twitter: @kracze.