Philadelphia's Expectations for TE Ertz

After punting on re-uniting with former Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, Philadelphia has now changed course.

The Eagles have signed Ertz to their practice squad following Sunday’s MCL sprain suffered by starting tight end Dallas Goedert. Now what?

I expect Ertz to immediately step into the starting lineup for Philadelphia’s Week 3 road game against the Chicago Bears. After all, Ertz is a far superior pass receiver than Johnny Mundt and E.J. Jenkins, the other tight ends on Philadelphia’s roster.

If that does happen, it will be Ertz’s first live NFL action since Dec. 7 of last season. As a member of the Washington Commanders, Ertz suffered a torn ACL against the Minnesota Vikings on a brutal hit that many speculated could be career ending. Since absorbing that big hit, Ertz has been medically cleared to resume football activities.

Philadelphia brings in a veteran, a fan favorite, and a former Pro Bowler in Ertz. Though he is an instant upgrade over Philadelphia’s other healthy tight ends, it would be a huge ask for a 35-year-old to come in off the street and replicate the production of a quality tight end like Goedert, who caught a career high 11 touchdowns a year ago and was off to a good start to this season before the injury.

Since Ertz’s previous departure from Philadelphia in 2021, the Eagles have completely overhauled their wide receiver room. DeVonta Smith has emerged as a possible No. 1 receiving threat, Dontayvion Wicks has produced two solid games in his first action with his new team, and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown was inserted back into the lineup Sunday after an inexplicable absence in Week 1 against Washington.

Even if he is just a decoy in Philadelphia’s passing game, the presence of Ertz will at least give opposing defenses something to think about. Defensive coordinators will have to honor Ertz’s playmaking ability in the passing game until it is proven otherwise that he no longer is a vertical or underneath threat. The same consideration would not be given to Mundt or Jenkins.