The Philadelphia Eagles and tight end Zach Ertz have had an interesting relationship of late.
When the Eagles finished the 2020 season, everyone assumed Ertz had played his final game as an Eagle.
He did not get a contract extension so he could be a free agent after the 2021 season.
It's 1:08 in the morning and Carson Wentz, Zach Ertz & Jason Kelce just left the field after staying a long time outside in the rain talking. Have to wonder if they sense this could be the last time they are all together on the same team. pic.twitter.com/RM7zUa34H0
— Chris Franklin (@cfranklinnews) January 4, 2021
Ertz wanted to be traded before the 2021 season, and everyone knew it.
The offseason came and went, and Ertz was still a member of the team.
Zach Ertz, understandably, wasn’t one of the #Eagles veterans to report today for the start of the voluntary Phase 2, a source said. He isn’t expected to report for the remainder of the offseason program or until his situation is resolved (read: he’s traded or released). https://t.co/ZxeVP5JzTD
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) May 17, 2021
At the beginning of training camp, Ertz seemed to be the disgruntled employee.
He turned his practice shorts inside out so the Eagles logo could not be seen.
From Inside Training Camp Live: #Eagles TE Zach Ertz hasn’t spoken to the media yet, but is he sending us subliminal messages with his fashion decisions? On that and more… pic.twitter.com/QPCOK4qXKE
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 29, 2021
Mike Garofalo of NFL Network talked about his impressions of Ertz at training camp.
On Inside Training Camp Live, Garofalo said:
“Just being here is not a sign that everything is copacetic. He’s still not happy, he didn’t get that contract extension last season and nothing has changed right now.”
Ertz reportedly was interested in reuniting with Carson Wentz in Indianapolis.
Still more time passed, and nothing transpired.
Now, in a strange turnabout, Ertz seems to be back in favor with his team.
What Changed
Ertz seems to have come to peace with his situation and found happiness in it.
In a time where players tend to make big scenes over contract disagreements, major respect to Zach Ertz for being a total pro.
Despite a trade request, he just focused on football, showed up every day, and has reportedly been one of the best performers in camp.#Eagles pic.twitter.com/mTr9AKIaVh
— Thomas R. Petersen (@thomasrp93) August 29, 2021
Who knows how all of this ultimately turns out?
Right now, Ertz is happy to be an Eagle and once again wants to retire as an Eagle.
In his first press conference in months on September 1, Ertz said:
“Like I’ve said all along, this is the place I want to be, this is the place I want to retire. Those feeling haven’t changed. I’m moving on from everything that happened this offseason. There have been apologies, there have been things that we’ve mended and, ultimately, I’m here, I’m excited to be here and I’m excited to be a member of this football team.”
“This organization has believed in me not only these first eight years of my career, but they believed in me probably more so than anyone else did in the league. They were standing firm to what they believed was fair and, ultimately, I can’t fault them for that. For me, in my faith, it’s all about forgiveness, forgiveness, and who am I not to extend a forgiving arm with everything I believe in my faith? I’m here now. The offseason is over. This is all about the Philadelphia Eagles and being the best player I can be for this team and this city.”
Ertz’s Stats
Ertz is only 30 years old but has accomplished a lot in the NFL.
In eight seasons, he has accumulated over 6,078 yards receiving with 561 receptions and 36 touchdowns.
He is a three-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion.
With an astounding 116 receptions in 2018, Ertz became the NFL record holder for the most receptions by a tight end in a single season.
Eagles fans look forward to seeing what Ertz can do under new head coach Nick Sirianni and with second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts.
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