This has been a disastrous season in every conceivable way for the Washington Commanders. And just when it looked like there might be some light at the end of their dark injury tunnel, they were dealt another devastating blow.
And it likely spells the end of veteran tight end Zach Ertz's time with the franchise.
Ertz took a nasty hit while in the air against the Minnesota Vikings, and it didn't look good from the outset. He left in tears on a cart, and his teammates were visibly emotional. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed everyone's worst fears, and the potential Pro Football Hall of Famer now faces a lengthy recovery from a torn ACL.
The Commanders will help him along the way, but it's highly unlikely general manager Adam Peters will give him another deal. Washington needs to get younger. There will never be a better time to do that at the tight-end spot. Not ideal, but this is all part of the NFL's ruthless business, where sentiment rarely factors in.
Which way Peters will go with his decision is anyone's guess. He needs to get it right, so here are seven possible options to help Washington's front-office leader along the way.
Players who could rise as the Commanders' answer after Zach Ertz in 2026
Commanders could promote Ben Sinnott
In an ideal world, Ben Sinnott will show enough over the Washington Commanders' final four games to warrant a legitimate chance to take over from Ertz in 2026. However, that is not a foregone conclusion by any stretch of the imagination.
Sinnott's been something of an enigma since joining the Commanders as the No. 53 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. He's been used sparingly for the best part of two years. He's a complete non-factor in the passing game, and even though he's flashed as a blocker, something is preventing Washington's offensive staff from getting him heavily involved.
That has to change now.
The Commanders should be in evaluation mode. With Ertz no longer able to take his place in the lineup, the torch must be passed to Sinnott. And how the former Kansas State standout performs will go a long way to determining his overall outlook.
It's a journey into the unknown for everybody. Sinnott waited patiently for his chance. Now, it's arrived, and he must do everything in his power to grasp it with both hands.
Anything less, and the Commanders have a massive problem on their hands with a once highly touted prospect.
Commanders could sign David Njoku
The Washington Commanders have a lot of holes to fill this offseason. Fortunately for general manager Adam Peters, he'll probably have more than $100 million to spend in free agency.
That will be spent wisely, but this is no time for hesitancy. Jayden Daniels will be in Year 3 of his rookie deal and extension-eligible after 2026. That raises the stakes considerably, and not having Zach Ertz to depend upon is going to hurt unless a suitable replacement can be found.
If the Commanders decide to go down the free agency route, David Njoku is intriguing. The Cleveland Browns standout boasts the athleticism and pass-catching prowess to become a matchup nightmare. He's had some injury problems, but the first-round pick out of Miami could be a decent option if the money works for all parties.
With the Browns getting significant returns from rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr., they could deem Njoku expendable.
Commanders could draft Kenyon Sadiq
There is a cheaper way to fill the void left by Zach Ertz. The Commanders could identify a talented prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, but that would carry more risk. Much will depend on how those in power view Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff. However, nothing should be off the table at this early juncture.
Arguably, the best tight end prospect coming out this year is Kenyon Sadiq. The Oregon sensation has flourished with the Ducks this season. He's explosive and dynamic, and he makes the complex look routine. He'll be a hot commodity after the pre-draft testing process, so expect to hear his name in the first round at some stage.
It's improbable that the Commanders will spend what could be a top-five pick on Sadiq. But if Peters can negotiate a trade down for more assets, that could give him the luxury to take this sort of swing.
Commanders could sign Kyle Pitts
Even though Kyle Pitts hasn't quite reached the generational talent hype coming out of Florida, there will be a queue of suitors if the Atlanta Falcons let him test the market next spring. And don't be surprised if the Commanders are among the first to make him an offer.
Pitts is athletic, experienced, and can completely take over games when in the mood. Finding the right consistency can be challenging at times. Still, linking up with quarterback Jayden Daniels would be a tempting proposition for someone with a lot of good football left.
This isn't the type of veteran Adam Peters has looked to in the past. Pitts is firmly in his prime, representing a long-term part of the plans. After how things have unfolded for Washington this season, pulling off a signing like this would represent a significant statement of intent about the future.
It's hard to gauge what Pitts' future holds in Atlanta. But make no mistake, the Commanders should be monitoring developments closely.
Commanders could draft Eli Stowers
Eli Stowers' college journey was an eventful one. He started as a tight end, then moved to quarterback, and then back to tight end. But switching to his original position after transferring to Vanderbilt proved to be the making of him.
Stowers boasts legitimate NFL-caliber credentials. He's a smooth route runner. His previous experience under center ensures that he's always out of his breaks on time. The ball skills are assured, and the prospect is also developing his ability to be impactful in the red zone.
The Washington Commanders should take a long look at Stowers when the time comes to begin assessing college prospects. He's ascending at the right time, and the fact that he has overcome so much adversity is only going to endear him more to general manager Adam Peters.
However, unless the Commanders can somehow accumulate more Day 2 selections, Stowers might be out of reach before the fourth round.
Commanders could sign Isaiah Likely
When the Baltimore Ravens gave veteran Mark Andrews a new long-term deal, it raised a few eyebrows around the league. Most thought the player and the AFC North club would part ways this offseason, but those in power are confident he can turn his career around after a lackluster campaign.
There was another reason why tight-end-needy teams across the NFL had their interest piqued by this development. Isaiah Likely is also a free agent this spring. Given the money invested in Andrews, it seems unlikely they'd be willing to meet the Coastal Carolina product's demands.
Likely's had some boneheaded moments this year, but his flashes are exceptional. He looks ready to assume a TE1 role somewhere, and unless Ben Sinnott demonstrates the desired growth, there will be an opening in Washington.
Linking someone with Likely's upside with Jayden Daniels is a mouthwatering proposition.
Commanders could draft Joe Royer
As previously mentioned, the Commanders don't have many selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. They only have six picks as things stand, and two of those are in the first four rounds. Adam Peters faces some complex challenges, but adding a tight end once other needs are filled looks like a legitimate possibility.
Finding the right piece is crucial. They need a prospect with room to grow, but can also play a role immediately. It's a shot in the dark, but Joe Royer's flashes over the last two seasons with the Cincinnati Bearcats since transferring from Ohio State warrant a closer examination at the very least.
Royer is developing his nuance to find soft zones and exploit them. He wouldn't be classed in the same category as Kenyon Sadiq from a physical traits standpoint. However, nobody would consider Zach Ertz a generational athlete either, and he became one of the most prolific pass-catching tight ends of the modern era.
Couple this with Royer's improved blocking, and he could end up being a rough diamond.