The Washington Commanders moved in a new direction at tight end this offseason. General manager Adam Peters didn't have a choice, as aging veteran Zach Ertz suffered a torn ACL during a brutal mid-air collision against the Minnesota Vikings.
Ertz has not called time in his career. He's striving to get back and has now been cleared to resume football activities. And according to a recent report, the Commanders could soon be calling the three-time Pro Bowler an enemy once again.
According to EJ Smith of All Phly, a potential return to the Philadelphia Eagles for Ertz is firmly on the table, and the player would reportedly welcome a move back to the team that drafted him.
Zach Ertz could land back with the Eagles after Commanders departure
They also have a shortage of dependable options behind Dallas Goedert, but much will depend on Ertz's current health status as to when this possibility could become a reality.
"Zach Ertz has a chance to fill the Eagles’ void at tight end with a potential return on the table, according to league sources. Nothing is imminent as the 35-year-old is nearing the nine-month mark of recovery from a scary knee injury suffered on Dec. 7, but Ertz would welcome a return to the Eagles for his 14th season."
This is all part of the business. Ertz may have had a two-season stint with the Commanders, but his heart has always been with the Eagles.
It's where Ertz became a second-round pick and turned into one of the league's most accomplished tight ends. Things fizzled out, and for a long time it looked as if his career was heading into the abyss. Washington galvanized him, and his veteran leadership was integral at a critical time.
As Smith stated, Ertz would no doubt welcome a return to Philadelphia. This could allow him to potentially finish where it all began, which is something rare in the NFL's cutthroat world.
Commanders look strong enough to cope without Zach Ertz in 2026
As for the Commanders? They look well set to cope without Ertz.
Peters recognized the need for more dynamism, signing Chig Okonkwo in free agency. He's got the speed and athleticism to add a different dynamic, and the signs this offseason suggest that offensive coordinator David Blough plans to feature him heavily in his schematic concepts.
John Bates remains the blocking option, and he excels in this area. Ben Sinnott, who has taken some subtle shots at previous offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury over the summer, needs to step up in a make-or-break campaign for the 2024 second-round pick. Colson Yankoff flashed at training camp, but he might be more of a special-teams asset.
This should be enough to be competitive. Ertz was no longer part of these plans, but if the Eagles come calling, he might have something more to offer without having to be TE1 with Goedert around.
It'll be interesting to see what the future holds for Ertz. But the Commanders couldn't justify keeping him around.
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