Zach Ertz Today: Current Team, Contract, and Role
Zach Ertz today remains a veteran tight end in the NFL, currently listed as a free agent following his release from the Arizona Cardinals in early 2024. He signed a two-year, $16 million contract with Arizona in March 2023, with $9 million guaranteed, according to Overthecap.com. He is now focused on securing a new roster spot ahead of the 2024 season.
Ertz has transitioned from a primary offensive weapon to a veteran mentor role in recent seasons. His production declined in 2023, catching 48 passes for 455 yards and 2 touchdowns in 14 games with Arizona. Teams value his route-running and blocking experience, which he developed over a decade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Career Stats, Achievements, and Legacy
All-Time Eagles Tight End Leader
Zach Ertz holds the Philadelphia Eagles' all-time record for career receptions by a tight end, with 429 catches over his first eight seasons in the league. He also leads the franchise tight end category in receiving yards with 4,761 and touchdowns with 38, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com.
Ertz earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 2018, when he recorded 97 receptions for 1,022 yards and 13 touchdowns. That season, he became only the second tight end in NFL history to exceed 1,000 receiving yards in a single campaign, joining Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez on the list.
Zach Ertz Today: Market Value and Future Outlook
Free Agency and Fit with 2024 Offenses
Zach Ertz today enters the 2024 free agency market as a low-cost, high-efficiency option for offenses needing a reliable red-zone target. His current projected salary range sits between $3 million and $5 million per year, per Spotrac.com, making him an attractive veteran minimum or veteran minimum-plus signing.
Ertz's versatility in both 12-personnel and 11 personnel schemes keeps him relevant despite age-related decline. He has lined up as a traditional tight end and moved around the formation as an H-back, a skill set that suits modern NFL offenses prioritizing mismatch creation in the short and intermediate passing game.