Zach Ertz #86 of the Washington Commanders (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz is coming off of a resurgent season.
The 34-year-old veteran tight end is coming off of his best season since the 2021 campaign after posting 66 catches for 654 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in his first season with the Commanders. Ertz emerged as one of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels' favorite targets, ranking second on the team across the board in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
Ertz explains that health, coaching turnover and injuries to Kyler Murray all played a role in his statistical decline with the Arizona Cardinals compared to when he was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Obviously, the past two years were extremely difficult in Arizona,” said Ertz in a one-on-one interview with RG on behalf of his and his wife Julie's partnership with Russell Stover Chocolates. “Just from a health standpoint, I hurt my knee two years ago pretty significantly. Last year, I probably rushed back a little too quickly. In Arizona, there was so much turnover from the coaching staff to the quarterback not being there."
Ertz stresses that despite the two-year downturn in production, he never doubted himself or his ability to still play at a high level.
The 12-year veteran gives credit to Commanders head coach Dan Quinn for helping keep him healthy. The veteran tight end played in all 17 games this season, the first time since 2018 he's played in every regular season game.
“Both on and off the field, it was really just being able to stay healthy,” says Ertz. “Coach Quinn did a phenomenal job just being at the forefront, proactive, of keeping me healthy. He limited my practice reps during the week, so I was at my best on Sunday and I felt like it was an amazing season for the team, obviously, and I felt like I was able to play some of the best football in my career this year.”
Ertz will be a free agent this year, which means his future is uncertain. He still wants to play, saying he's loved his time with the Commanders. If the opportunity presents itself, Ertz says returning to Washington would be a “no-brainer.”
“There are so many factors at play, but at the same time, I do love my time here,” said Ertz when asked if he wants to return to the Commanders. “It was an opportunity for me to really fall back in love with the process and being able to be around people that truly love football, being at their best.
“That's when I'm at my best, when I'm around people that truly want to do everything they can to be the best versions of themselves, and that's what I truly enjoy,” Ertz continued to say. “For me, if I have the opportunity to go back there – if it presents itself – would be a no-brainer.”
Ertz – who caught the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LII – says it's about being in the “right situation” as he approaches free agency.
“ My mindset at this point is I'm not just going to play football just to say I'm playing football,” said Ertz.
“There are so many other factors. For me, it's just being around people that want to be the best versions of themselves, that want to win. For me, it's not just about going to any situation, it's about going to the right situation.”
The prolific tight end once again hammers home that it's about being in the “right situation.”
“That's probably the same mindset I had when I was younger as well,” said Ertz when it pertains to being in the right situation. “I'm definitely closer to the end than the beginning. For me, it's just being in the right situation.”
DJ Siddiqi
