NFL insider Tom Pelissero reports Wednesday that veteran tight end Zach Ertz will be joining the Washington Commanders ahead of the 2024 season. With Ertz expected to sign a one-year deal worth up to $5 million.
The three-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion joins Washington ahead of the 12th season of his NFL career, reuniting with Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury following a stint with the Arizona Cardinals and rejoining the NFC East after spending eight total seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Commanders notably hold the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, with Ertz providing a reliable veteran pass catcher to a potential rookie under center in the nation’s capital.
Ertz joins Washington following a brief stint with the Detroit Lions, waived by the Cardinals on November 30 following his request to be released after appearing in seven games for Arizona in 2023 where he recorded 27 receptions for 187 yards and a touchdown. Signing with the Lions practice squad this January ahead of Detroit’s NFC Championship game following an injury to Brock Wright. Not playing a snap for Detroit before his contract expired six days after signing with the team.
The 33-year-old tight end was previously selected with the No. 35 overall pick in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles out of Stanford, where he was an unanimous All-American and Ozzie Newsome Award winner.
In his fifth season in Philadelphia he helped contribute to the team’s Super Bowl LII run and win, leading the team with 74 receptions for 824 yards along with a career-high eight touchdowns. That 2017 season would also mark his first of three consecutive Pro Bowl selections, following that year with eight touchdown grabs yet again to go along with a career-high 116 receptions for 1,163 yards.
Ertz was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in the middle of his ninth season for the Eagles defensive back Tay Gowan and a fifth-round pick in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft. Playing and starting in 28 games for the Cardinals where he racked up 130 catches for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns.
He joins a franchise under new leadership with owner Josh Harris entering his second season in the role and newly hired general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn entering their first year with Washington. Bringing a veteran presence to the locker room with experience having played in eight playoff games in his 11 year career.
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