The Washington Commanders made a significant move in their offseason by signing tight end Zach Ertz, reuniting him with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, with whom he had previously played. The veteran Ertz agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $5 million, as reported by NFL Network.
Ertz had spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, playing under Kingsbury for 21 games in 2021 and 2022. Last season, he appeared in seven games for the Cardinals, recording 27 receptions and one touchdown before being sidelined by a quadriceps injury. Following his release request, he briefly joined the Detroit Lions’ practice squad but didn’t feature in the NFC Championship Game.
During his tenure in Arizona, Ertz amassed 103 receptions for 980 yards and seven touchdowns under Kingsbury’s guidance. However, he missed the final seven games of the 2022 season due to a knee injury.
Washington had a void to fill at tight end following the departure of Logan Thomas. While they have John Bates as a blocking tight end, they lacked a proven pass-catching option until Ertz’s signing. The Commanders also have Cole Turner and Armani Rogers on their roster, but neither has significant experience in the NFL.
Before his stint with the Cardinals, Ertz spent nine seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he became a Pro Bowl selection each year from 2017 to 2019, accumulating 579 receptions and 38 touchdowns.
