The Philadelphia Eagles won’t face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59 for over a week, but for the other 30 NFL teams, the offseason has officially begun. With that comes a wave of players pondering their futures, including one former Eagles fan favorite.
Eagles News: TE Zach Ertz Talks Retirement Decision
Zach Ertz, the former Eagles tight end currently with the rival Washington Commanders, has been one of the key players whose future remains uncertain. At 34 years old and with 12 seasons and a Super Bowl ring to his name, Ertz could easily call it a career. However, he’s made it clear that he’s not ready to retire just yet.
“I still want to play football next year,” Ertz told reporters on Monday, according to NFL.com’s Grant Gordon. “I just want to make that clear that I’m not retiring.”
Ertz cited his enjoyment of playing with the Commanders as a significant factor in his decision to keep playing. Despite Washington’s loss to the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, Ertz said the experience reignited his passion for the game.
“I feel rejuvenated, I feel young,” Ertz added. “I felt like I played good football this year. So, for me, it’s just figuring out everything going forward. (The Commanders) know how I feel about this place.”
Ertz’s steady play has been a big help to the Commanders, including quarterback Jayden Daniels during his successful rookie season. The veteran tight end had a solid year, finishing with 66 catches for 654 yards and seven touchdowns across 17 games. He also contributed during the postseason with an 18-155-1 stat line in three games.
As Ertz heads into free agency in March, it remains uncertain whether the Commanders will bring him back. He admitted that the decision is out of his hands, acknowledging that it’s a two-way street.
“It’s a two-way street,” Ertz said. “I can bang down the door saying I want to be here, but if they don’t want me here, then it’s a moot point.”
Should Ertz hit the open market, he’s likely to attract significant interest from teams in need of a veteran tight end. The three-time Pro Bowler has accumulated over 8,000 receiving yards and 53 touchdowns in 168 career games with the Eagles, Commanders, and Arizona Cardinals.
Ertz will need to wait until free agency officially kicks off on March 12 at 4 p.m. ET to learn where his NFL career will continue.
