When veteran tight end Zach Ertz signed a 1-year, $3 million free agent contract with the Washington Commanders in March 2024, it was a move met with more than a slight sense of derision in league circles.
Ertz, who will turn 35 years old in November, had long been considered past his prime and had finished the previous season on, of all the places for a 3-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, on the practice squad for the Detroit Lions.
Fast forward not even 2 years, to this week, and Ertz is on the verge of making NFL history as the Commanders face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football in Week 8.
He’s also in his second season with the Commanders after re-signing with the team on a 1-year, $6 million contract in March 2025.
“With two catches tonight, Commanders TE Zach Ertz would join Tony Gonzalez, Jason Witten, Travis Kelce, Antonio Gates and Shannon Sharpe to become only the sixth tight end in NFL history with 800 career receptions,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account a few hours before the game on October 27.
It’s all part of an incredible comeback story from Ertz, who went from one of the NFL’s elite tight ends in the early part of his career to having dirt buried on his football grave to becoming an elite NFL tight end once again.
Ertz, Daniels Had Instant Connection
Ertz signing with the Commanders was looked as more of a stopgap in what was going to be a rebuilding year for the franchise in 2024 â or more like a full reboot â after going 3-14 in 2023 and cleaning house from the top of the organization to the bottom.
That meant all new owners in a group led by Josh Harris and Magic Johnson to a new head coach in Dan Quinn and a new general manager in Adam Peters.
The key for Ertz’s success was another new addition â quarterback and 2024 No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels.
Paired with the superstar rookie, Ertz had one of the best seasons of his career with 66 receptions for 654 yards and 7 touchdowns â his most touchdowns since 2018.
The Commanders also had their best season since 1991, going 12-5 in the regular season and making it to the NFC Championship Game.
From One of NFL’s Best Tight Ends to ‘Biggest Bust’
Ertz spent almost a decade with the Philadelphia Eagles, making 3 Pro Bowls from 2013 until he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals midway through the 2021 season. He also helped lead the Eagles to the first Super Bowl in franchise history following the 2017 season.
He spent 2 injury riddled seasons with the Cardinals before he was released in November 2023 and wound up with the Lions, although he never even played a game for them.
Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon singled out Ertz as the player who would be the “Biggest Bust” for the Commanders before the 2024 season.
âZach Ertz has reliable hands,â Kenyon wrote. âFor rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, that will be a positive in a safety outlet. At this point of Ertzâs career, however, thatâs about as positive as it gets. He hardly generates any yards after the catch and is no longer a high-volume target.â
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