[brid video=”663148″ player=”23231″ title=”NFL%20Rumors%20Philadelphia%20Eagles%20open%20to%20Zach%20Ertz%20trade” duration=”50″ description=”The Philadelphia Eagles have fought through injuries just to hold a 1-3-1 record this season and with his future uncertain, star tight end Zach Ertz could be on his way out by the NFL trade deadline.Ertz, a free agent following the season, has been a staple in Philadelphia’s offense for years. Unfortunately, with contract discussions making little progress, the Pro Bowl tight end could be spending his last few weeks with the Eagles.” uploaddate=”2020-10-19 16:44:15″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/663148_t_1603125863.png” contentUrl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/663148.mp4″]
The Philadelphia Eagles have fought through injuries just to hold a 1-4-1 record this season and with his future uncertain, star tight end Zach Ertz could be on his way out by the NFL trade deadline.
Ertz, a free agent following the season, has been a staple in Philadelphia’s offense for years. Unfortunately, with contract discussions making little progress, the Pro Bowl tight end could be spending his last few weeks with the Eagles.
Eagles rumors: Zach Ertz available before NFL trade deadline
According to NFL insider Michael Lombardi, Zach Ertz is available for trade leading up to the deadline on Nov. 3. While the organization would love to keep its former second-round pick, it seems the front office recognizes the time is right to move on.
Ertz engaged with the Eagles in discussions on a contract extension before the season, but talks quickly fell apart over a disagreement about value. Philadelphia used its $8 million team option on him in March, with the hope a long-term agreement would be reached later in the year.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, recent extensions for San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce changed the landscape for salaries at the position. With Ertz now looking to land one last lucrative contract, he has likely pushed himself out of the price range Philadelphia felt comfortable with.
Ertz, who broke the single-season record for most receptions by a tight end in 2018 (116), has been a constant in the Eagles’ lineup. He played through rib and kidney injuries late in the 2019 season and has shown a willingness to fight through pain on numerous occasions.
Unfortunately, the hits have taken a toll on the 29-year-old tight end. He is averaging a career-worst 7.3 yards per catch this season, hauling in 20 receptions for only 145 receiving yards and a touchdown. Philadelphia is also thinking about the future, which will feature Dallas Goedert as its No. 1 tight end next season.
Even if Ertz has declined slightly, he would still generate plenty of interest before the NFL trade deadline. Teams like the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers could all benefit from adding his skills to their offense.
The Eagles might have to settle for a mid-round pick in return, but it’s a better outcome than losing him next offseason for nothing. It might also give him a chance to compete for a Super Bowl, which won’t happen this year in Philadelphia.