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Commanders Credited With Underrated Signing

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Mar 9, 2025 9:30 PM ET

The Washington Commanders as expected, have been players in free agency with Deebo Samuel coming to the nation's capital.

Not only that, Washington has also re-signed linebacker Bobby Wagner and tight end Zach Ertz, both of whom played big roles in developing the culture and the standards that new head coach Dan Quinn wanted for the new regime.

And it is here that Washington has conducted a very underrated piece of business: bringing back Ertz.

Why is this underrated? Glad you asked.

Jayden Daniels and Ertz developed some kind of chemistry last season. The veteran tight end finished second among Commanders players in yards (654), touchdowns (seven), receptions (66), and targets (91). Only Terry McLaurin had more than Ertz.

That tells us his value, but this little nugget of information does, too.

In the postseason (three games), Ertz had 25 targets for 18 receptions, 155 yards, and a touchdown. In the NFC Championship game, when Daniels was getting put under constant pressure, he looked Ertz's way...and often.

Ertz had 11 receptions (16 targets) for 104 yards, and that security blanket will return in 2025.

So while Deebo coming in will boost the receiver stocks on the outside and in the slot, a quarterback's best friend is a reliable tight end, and in Ertz, Daniels found one last season.

Now with another offseason to build on that chemistry, the pair could go to a new level in the passing game as Daniels continues, what we think will be a solid trajectory north of where he was last season.

Yes, the Samuel signing was shiny, but Ertz's re-signing was a good business move for Daniels.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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