The Washington Commanders surprised quite a few folks with their breakout 2024 campaign. There were a lot of factors that played a role in their sudden emergence as a Super Bowl contender, but one of the more overlooked developments in the eyes of veteran tight end Zach Ertz was Kliff Kingsbury taking over as the team’s offensive coordinator.
With Dan Quinn being hired as Washington’s new head coach, he brought in Kingsbury, the former Arizona Cardinals head coach, to be his offensive coordinator. The move worked wonders on the team’s offense, and ahead of the new season, Ertz was full of praise for Kingsbury and the impact he’s managed to have on the Commanders’ offense.
Zach Ertz Shouts Out Kliff Kingsbury Ahead of Commanders’ 2025 Season
Entering the 2024 campaign, Ertz was a bit of an afterthought with the Commanders. He hadn’t done much over the past two seasons with the Cardinals, as he struggled to stay on the field due to a slew of injuries. With the team needing help at tight end, though, they took a flier on Ertz in free agency, as he had experience playing for Kingsbury during their shared time in Arizona.
Ertz promptly enjoyed a resurgent season as rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels’ security blanket in the passing game. Ertz suited up for all 17 games, catching 66 passes for 654 yards and seven touchdowns. Considering how it was his age-34 season, and he hadn’t made much of an impact over the past few seasons, Ertz’s strong play was a welcome surprise for Washington.
Credit has to be given to Kingsbury, as well, as he made Ertz a crucial part of the offense in order to help out his young quarterback. While Kingsbury has taken some heat in the past, particularly for how his stint with the Cardinals came to an end, Ertz doesn’t think that criticism is warranted, as he shouted out the Commanders’ offensive coordinator for his hard work after the team’s breakout 2024 season.
“I don’t think people realize how much of a grinder Kliff is,” Ertz said via Commanders reporter Ben Standig. “He gives this persona of the cool guy … In reality, he’s here at three in the morning every day. First one in the building. Always grinding film.”
Zach Ertz, Kliff Kingsbury Looking to Take Commanders Offense to New Level
GettyWashington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz.
Despite all their success last season, the Commanders saw that the gap between them and a true Super Bowl contender like the Philadelphia Eagles was pretty large when they got mopped in the NFC Championship Game by them. The front office has been hard at work over the offseason improving the roster, with the hope being that they can compete with the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles in the NFC East division.
For Ertz, he will be tasked with filling the same role he filled last year, although that could change if Terry McLaurin’s contract situation drags into the regular season. And with Daniels announcing himself to the league last year, Kingsbury has a lot more ammunition he can play with moving forward, which will make Washington a very dangerous team heading into the 2025 campaign.
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