Right when you thought the Washington Commanders' disaster of a 2025 season was turning the corner, it managed to reach a new low in Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Jayden Daniels returned from his elbow injury, only to look out of sorts and aggravate the issue. The Vikings defense terrorized Washington's offense, forcing three turnovers and shutting it out for the first time since 2019. Worst of all, though, was the brutal injury to veteran tight end Zach Ertz late in the third quarter.
Ertz was hit in the knee by Minnesota's Jay Ward and was carted off the field in an emotional scene. Head coach Dan Quinn's postgame update on his condition was not promising, raising questions about the Stanford product's future — not only in Washington but in the NFL.
Dan Quinn said fear is an ACL for Zach Ertz.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 7, 2025
Zach Ertz's time with Commanders could have ended in the saddest way imaginable
When Ertz arrived in Washington, he was already an arguable future Pro Football Hall of Famer. Throughout his eight-and-a-half years with the Philadelphia Eagles, he was a Super Bowl champion and a three-time Pro Bowler. He was considered on the downside of his career, but still possessed positive value he could bring to an organization.
He enjoyed a resurgent season in 2024, compiling his most receiving yards in three years and most touchdowns in five. More importantly, Ertz helped change the culture in Washington. His off-field leadership made him one of the Commanders' most trusted locker room presences as they made their magical run to the NFC title game.
Even as the Commanders declined in 2025, Ertz has remained an invaluable asset both on and off the field. Entering Week 14, his 493 receiving yards and four touchdowns on the year trailed only Deebo Samuel Sr. in both categories. He has been a consistent short-yardage weapon, particularly in third- and fourth-down situations.
Ertz has continued to be a model of leadership as well, a player whose teammates have the utmost respect for. That was evident from the tearful gathering around him as their fallen warrior was carted off. They knew the gravity of the situation, and his pain could be felt by all of them.
There is no understating how devastating Ertz's loss is. Even in a season that was going nowhere, he deserved to be able to finish out his time in Washington on his own terms.
That seems highly unlikely now, and sadly, it's just the Commanders' 2025 season in a nutshell. No one has been allowed to have good things.