Eagles Must Consider Potential Catch Of A Zach Ertz Reunion

Zach Ertz requested his release from the Arizona Cardinals. He will more than likely clear waivers and become an unrestricted free agent. J.J. Watt reported that the legendary Philadelphia Eagles tight end is looking to sign with a contender. Is a reunion in order?

Ertz cemented his legacy in the lure of Philadelphia sports history with a clutch fourth-down conversion and the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LII. He sits second in franchise history in receptions, fifth in receiving yards, and seventh in receiving touchdowns.

He also avoided a potentially ugly exit from Philadelphia in 2021 in a situation that the organization might’ve been able to handle differently. However, at age 33, he isn’t the player he was during his prime years.

Ertz hasn’t played since Week 7 . He caught 27 balls for 187 yards for Jonathan Gannon and the Cardinals in 2023. The 2013 second-round pick is ready to return from a quad injury, but it’s not a reasonable expectation for him to contribute in Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers.

The Eagles got good news about Dallas Goedert earlier in the week. Their starting tight end has been an excellent replacement since Howie Roseman dealt Ertz in 2021. Goedert didn’t practice on Wednesday, but he took the field on Thursday.

If Goedert doesn’t play in Week 13 against the 49ers, he’ll most likely return on Dec. 10 against the Dallas Cowboys. If Ertz won’t contribute before Goedert returns, it would eliminate the biggest part of the appeal of a potential reunion.

Jack Stoll isn’t an excellent option as a backup tight end. He did take advantage of his only target against the Buffalo Bills with a key 14-yard gain on a third-down conversion that set up a touchdown. He brings more value as a blocker than as a receiver.

Grant Calcaterra missed the Week 12 matchup with an ankle injury. Albert Okwuegbunam played nine offensive snaps, and Noah Togiai played seven. None of the three respective backup tight ends have caught a pass this season.

The Eagles might have a more obvious connection to Zach Ertz, but they are also a top candidate to sign free agent linebacker Shaq Leonard. The former All-Pro should be Roseman’s top priority if he’s healthy.

Ertz could provide a better backup option as a receiving tight end, especially if Calcaterra is unavailable in the coming weeks. One play can sometimes make the difference in a Super Bowl run, and a three-time Pro Bowler is more qualified than an inexperienced second-year reserve if it’s a choice between the two.

A signing, however, cannot reduce the odds of landing Shaq Leonard. The priority for help in the middle of the defense outweighs the need for a backup tight end if Goedert will return quickly.

Signing Zach Ertz wouldn’t be a bad idea, but it must be at a low cost that doesn’t limit financial options or the ability to solidify other positions.

The Philadelphia Eagles pulled off an incredible overtime win in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL season. They own the best record in the NFL at 10-1 after the thriller against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.

They have suffered a few recent injuries to key players, especially along the offensive and defensive lines. Will Lane Johnson, Fletcher Cox, Milton Williams, and Zach Cunningham return for the Eagles as Week 13 starters?

The Bills took a 10-point lead into halftime, and the Eagles were fortunate that the deficit wasn't worse. It looked eerily similar to the Super Bowl LVII rematch on Monday Night Football six days before. However, the result was the same. The Eagles pulled off yet another double-digit comeback.

Jalen Hurts played poorly in the first half. He shook off the struggles and led four touchdown drives after halftime, the last coming in overtime. The Philadelphia defense held Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs scoreless on six second half possessions.

Nick Sirianni has improved to 33-12 as a head coach in NFL regular-season games. The Eagles are 24-2 in games started by Jalen Hurts since the beginning of the 2022 season.

The San Francisco 49ers loom for an NFC Championship Game rematch at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 13.

The Eagles have leaned on strength in the trenches in the most recent era of franchise history. Two of their foundational pieces didn't finish the game against the Bills. Lane Johnson missed the game with groin soreness, and Fletcher Cox also left the game with a groin injury.

Dallas Goedert and Nakobe Dean will likely remain out with injuries in Week 13. Jack Stoll started at tight end in Weeks 11 and 12, and he'll likely fill in against the 49ers once again. Cunningham has been the best linebacker on the team in 2023. He left the game with a hamstring injury and didn't return.

Nicholas Morrow has played an elevated role, and Christian Elliss also stepped into the regular rotation as a linebacker. The Eagles will get an update on Milton Williams, who missed the game against Buffalo with a concussion.

With arguably the toughest opponent on the schedule ahead, Nick Sirianni needs good news about some of his best players heading into Week 13. 

Quarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020

Running Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)

Wide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)

Wide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021

Wide Receiver, #80
University of Alabama
13th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)

Tight End, #89
University of Nebraska
3rd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2021)

Left Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018

Left Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021

Center, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011

Right Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022

Left Tackle, #69
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013

Defensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018

Defensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022

Defensive Tackle, #98
University of Georgia
1st NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (9th overall) in 2023

Edge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)

Linebacker, #41
Greensville University
6th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)

Linebacker, #53
University of Idaho
3rd NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (September 2021)

Cornerback, #2
Mississippi State
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)

Cornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)

Cornerback, #33
Ohio State University
10th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)

Safety, #31
Middle Tennessee State
8th NFL Season, Acquired in trade from Tennessee Titans (October 2023)

Safety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)

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