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Zach Ertz enjoyed a strong 2024 campaign upon reuniting with Kliff Kingsbury and playing for the Commanders. The veteran tight end demonstrated the production he is still capable of, and as a result he has no intention of hanging up his cleats.
“I don’t know what the future holds,” the three-time Pro Bowler said (video link via Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post). “I still want to play football next year. I just want to make that clear that I’m not retiring.”
Ertz’s best years came during his tenure with the Eagles, which began in 2013 and lasted midway through the 2021 campaign. He made a notable first impression for Kingsbury and Co. in Arizona, but in the following two seasons he was limited to a total of 17 contests and saw his production drop off. In 2024, however, a resurgence took place, resulting in a 66-654-7 statline.
Approaching his age-35 season, Ertz is a pending free agent. He is clearly looking for a new deal to continue his career, and it would come as no surprise if the Commanders looked to give him another short-term deal this spring (especially since Kingsbury turned aside head coaching interest to remain in the nation’s capital for 2025). Failing that, any number of teams in need of a pass-catching addition at the TE spot could look to add him for next season.
Ertz played on a $3MM pact in 2024, one which featured $1.96MM in up-front guarantees. The Stanford product will no doubt look to increase the latter figure on his next contract, but with the third-most projected cap space in the league this offseason, the Commanders should be able to comfortably afford a raise. It will be interesting to see if the sides can work out a deal before free agency starts next month.
In other Commanders news, wideout Noah Brown said (via Jhabvala) he wants to remain in Washington for 2025. The former Cowboys draftee was among the familiar faces who followed head coach Dan Quinn to the nation’s capital this past offseason (having spent 2023 in Houston). His debut Commanders campaign was of course highlighted by the Week 8 win which featured a Hail Mary pass he was on the receiving end of; overall, Brown averaged 12.9 yards per catch as a complementary receiving option before suffering a season-ending injury in December.
Adding a high-end producer to their pass-catching core (one which is lacking in star power outside of Terry McLaurin) is a goal for the Commanders this offseason. At least some new faces will no doubt be brought in at the tight end and receiver spots as a result, but Ertz and Brown are candidates to be retained on new deals.
More must-reads:
- Bengals' Zac Taylor explains shocking Joe Flacco move for Packers game
- Lions CB Terrion Arnold to return 'sooner than expected'
- The 'Most NFL QB two-rushing-TD games' quiz
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Bengals' Zac Taylor explains shocking Joe Flacco move for Packers game
Roughly 24 hours after outsiders learned that the Cincinnati Bengals were acquiring veteran quarterback Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor confirmed that Flacco will start over Jake Browning when 2-3 Cincinnati plays at the Green Bay Packers (2-1-1) this coming Sunday. While speaking with media members, Taylor explained that somewhat surprising decision. Why Zac Taylor believes he can get Joe Flacco "up to speed quickly" "He's already spent a lot of time meeting with us, getting up to speed, so I feel really good about where he's at," Taylor said about Flacco, per Dave Clark of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "You just know him. ...Very comfortable with his style, concepts he's good at, things that we do. All of the terminology, there's a carryover, more so than I would have anticipated. So I feel like we can get him up to speed quickly." Flacco lost three of four September starts with the Browns before the Super Bowl XLVII Most Valuable Player was benched in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel. According to Pro Football Reference stats, Flacco began Wednesday ranked last in the NFL among qualified players with a 60.3 passer rating for the ongoing season. Additionally, he's 28th out of 32 signal-callers with a 36.7 adjusted QBR. That said, Flacco is a 40-year-old who has seen every defensive concept an opposing coordinator could and will throw his way. Back on Sept. 21, he helped the Browns earn a 13-10 win over the Packers in downtown Cleveland. Zac Taylor likes that Joe Flacco faced this Packers defense in September "It's different than a young quarterback coming in, trying to learn the system and understand what a defense is trying to do to try to challenge you," Taylor added about his decision to start Flacco versus the Packers. "Not only that, but he's played Green Bay this year, so he's already gone through a week of prep. ...Now the communication and the weekly rhythm is maybe different and unique, but he's already prepared for this opponent. So he gets a chance to refresh himself on that, while at the same time just learning our system and our terminology...and how we operate." Shortly after Taylor made his comments, ESPN BET had the Bengals listed as massive 14.5-point underdogs against Green Bay. Perhaps that line and the fact that he was discarded by Cleveland will give Flacco some extra motivation heading into the showdown that will take place at Lambeau Field.
North Carolina reportedly considering nuclear option with Bill Belichick, and that's justified
Cowboys list 18 players on their injury report but a couple of names steal the spotlight as their return appears very likely
The Dallas Cowboys just revealed their first injury report of Week 6 on Wednesday and it's a long one. The team listed 18 players on it ahead of their matchup against the Carolina Panthers, five of which were non-participants while 10 were limited. The remaining three players on the report were listed as full participants. Two of latter stole the spotlight amid the bitter updates as their "full" participation means they're close to making their 2025 debut very soon: Cornerback Caelen Carson and wide receiver Jonathan Mingo. Neither of the them are currently on the 53-man roster but the Cowboys activated their 21-day practice window last week. Carson and Mingo were limited participants in each of last week's practices. To be upgraded to full on the first practice of the week is a promising sign for their chances of playing against the Panthers. The coaching staff would need to open up roster spots to place them on the 53-man roster. Other notes on Cowboys' initial injury report for Week 6 CeeDee Lamb was a non-participant once again as his chances of playing Week 6 remain up in the air. KaVontae Turpin also missed practice and told reporters he wasn't expecting to play. Right guard Tyler Booker also missed practice. The new additions to the non-participants were LB Jack Sanborn (concussion) and S Donovan Wilson (elbow/knee). Safety is starting to look like a serious concern. Malik Hooker was placed on Injured Reserve last weekend and now Wilson missed practice while Juanyeh Thomas popped up on the injury report as a limited participant. Other starters that were limited participants: CB Trevon Diggs, CB DaRon Bland, OT Tyler Guyton, LG Tyler Smith. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer suggested Guyton will start at left tackle if cleared. Thursday's full Cowboys' injury report window.addEventListener('message', function (event) {if (event.data.totalpoll event.data.totalpoll.action === 'resizeHeight') {document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-375').height = event.data.totalpoll.value;}}, false);document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-375').contentWindow.postMessage({totalpoll: {action: 'requestHeight'}}, '*');
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Makes MLB History Against Yankees
The pressure is mounting for the Toronto Blue Jays to eliminate the New York Yankees on Wednesday after momentum swung in New York’s favor during Tuesday’s Game 3 loss. Toronto will look to close out the series and avoid a return trip home for a decisive Game 5. Although the Blue Jays’ pitching disappointed on Tuesday, allowing nine runs, the offense continued to thrive, led by the team’s superstar first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The 26-year-old right-handed slugger has risen to the occasion so far and continued during the top of the first inning for Game 4. Guerrero slashed an 0–2 cut fastball from Yankees rookie Cam Schlittler down the right field line, driving in George Springer and giving Toronto an early 1-0 lead. That swing added to what’s already been an impressive stretch for Guerrero, who has consistently delivered in key moments throughout the series. He launched the first postseason grand slam in Blue Jays history during Game 2, and his production has helped keep Toronto competitive despite Tuesday’s pitching struggles. Guerrero’s presence at the top of the order has continued to loom large—and now, his impact has made MLB history. He is the first player in postseason history to record at least nine hits and nine RBIs through the first four games of a series, regardless of round (h/t Underdog’s Justin Havens). Most impressive of all, Guerrero reached that mark just one at-bat into Game 4 of the ALDS. Guerrero signed a 14-year, $500 million contract in April of this year and responded by leading Toronto to its first AL East division title in a decade. Over 156 games, Guerrero owned a .292 batting average, .381 on-base percentage, .848 OPS, 23 home runs and 84 RBIs. Guerrero has spent all seven seasons of his career with the Blue Jays after debuting in 2019. He earned his fifth consecutive All-Star selection this year and has continued to be a finalist for AL MVP. With the series still hanging in the balance, Guerrero’s dominance has become the biggest storyline. If he stays hot, Toronto’s October could stretch much further.
NASCAR 25: Release Date, Pre-Order Info and Gameplay Trailers
Highlights Console release: October 14, 2025 (PS5, Xbox Series X|S) Steam version arrives November 11 Gold Edition grants 72-hour early access Digital-only release confirmed Multiple gameplay trailers showcase new physics and career realism If patience isn’t your strong suit, you might want to buckle up now—because NASCAR 25’s hype train is moving faster than a last-lap Daytona draft. NASCAR 25 is set to launch this fall, and fans won’t have to wait long to get behind the wheel. The console edition arrives October 14, 2025, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, while the Steam version will follow on November 11. This marks the first NASCAR console title under iRacing’s full development control—and judging by the gameplay footage, the upgrade is massive. Players who opt for the Gold Edition ($79.99) will unlock three days of early access, along with 10,000 Career Bonus Dollars, 1,000 Rep Points, and exclusive VIP employees for career progression. The Standard Edition ($59.99) includes 5,000 Career Dollars, 500 Rep Points, and three additional paint schemes based on the cover drivers. Meanwhile, the Season Pass ($24.99) delivers three DLC packs featuring more than 230 paint schemes and firesuits, extending the customization even further. According to the official NASCAR 25 website, the game will be a digital-only release with no physical discs available. The title supports full career integration, sponsor upgrades, and detailed vehicle tuning—all wrapped in a next-gen presentation built on iRacing’s refined engine. Fans can catch a glimpse of what’s to come through the latest trailers, which highlight both the intense on-track action and the career-mode grind that content creators like Jeff Favignano have praised for its realism. From fine-tuned setups to small-team struggles, NASCAR 25 looks set to deliver the most authentic stock-car racing experience yet. Trailers to Watch: Hype Trailer Career Mode Trailer Gameplay and First Impressions
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