The Arizona Cardinals and tight end Zach Ertz mutually agreed to part ways on Thursday, according to J.J. Watt (h/t ESPN). Ertz will have the opportunity to finish the season elsewhere, ideally with a contender.
NFL news-breaker Ian Rapoport mentioned the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, and Buffalo Bills as viable candidates to sign Ertz. The 33-year-old started seven games for Arizona in 2023, accumulating 27 receptions on 43 targets for 187 yards and one touchdown.
While Ertz is no longer the Pro Bowl, workhorse tight end of yesteryear, he's an experienced route-runner with the potential to elevate the passing attack of a quality football team. He should have a long line of interested suitors.
Here are a few that make the most sense.
3. Zach Ertz could put up numbers for the Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins lead the NFL in passing yards per game and rank second in rushing yards per game. Mike McDaniel has built the league's most finely-tuned machine. There are valid concerns about Miami's defense or Tua Tagovailoa's ability to operate under pressure once the postseason arrives. But, on a week-to-week basis, there isn't a more steadfastly dominant offense in the NFL.
So, what better place for Zach Ertz to finish the season? He would have a very real path to the Super Bowl, but even better than that, he would have a very real path to numbers. The Dolphins' primary tight end, Durham Smythe, has 18 receptions for 178 yards in 10 games (nine starts). Miami's offense doesn't focus on the tight end, but McDaniel could draw up more routes for a pass-catcher with Ertz's résumé.
With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle splitting defenses wide-open with their speed, Ertz could feast as a third or fourth option on shorter routes for Tagovailoa. He's also a proven end zone threat, with 22 touchdowns during his three-year Pro Bowl run from 2017 to 2019. Ertz has lost a step, but he's still 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds with supple hands.
In short, the Dolphins are the perfect melting pot of systemic success and opportunity. If Ertz wants to win games and put himself in position to make a few explosive plays every week, the Dolphins are a great spot.
2. Zach Ertz could find opportunity with the Denver Broncos
Don't look now, but the Denver Broncos are... good? Like, five straight wins good. With victories over the Chiefs, Bills, and Browns good. It would appear the Sean Payton investment is starting to pay off, and the Broncos are well-positioned for a wild card push as a result.
The goal for Ertz will be to play meaningful football down the stretch. Denver is going to need every win over the season's final six weeks. Russell Wilson has been easy to pick on since his arrival in Denver, but he's playing rock-solid football right now. During the Broncos' win streak, Wilson has completed 71.6 percent of his passes for 894 yards, eight touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
Also, this is another prime opportunity for Ertz to not only sign with a winner, but to get on the field. Denver's primary pass-catching tight end is Adam Trautman, who has accumulated 16 receptions, 125 yards, and two scores in 11 games (eight starts). Not exactly prolific. There would be a legitimate path to TE1 duties for Ertz, whose veteran savvy could appeal to Payton.
The Broncos are a bottom-eight team in passing yards per game this season, but the recent success of Wilson — especially in terms of efficiency — should have fans more confident than ever in Denver's ability to make noise. Ertz is a legitimate weapon who could break off chunk gains for a flimsy Broncos pass-catching corps.
1. A Philadelphia Eagles reunion just feels right for Zach Ertz
Sometimes, one must accept fate. Zach Ertz left the Eagles midway through the 2021 season in rather unceremonious fashion. Philadelphia has since invested fully in Dallas Goedert as TE1. He has 38 catches for 410 yards and two scores in nine starts. Nick Sirianni and the Eagles love to incorperate the tight end; Goedert has, in many ways, followed in Ertz's footsteps.
Despite any uncomfortable feelings stemming from Ertz's departure, one has to imagine the two sides can come together harmoniously in 2023. Ertz wouldn't have the same volume of opportunity in Philadelphia has he would in Denver or Miami, but he would be in a comfortable spot — in a system he knows, with a quarterback he can trust.
Ertz would still be a candidate for significant reps as Goedert's change-of-pace backup. Plus, there's the simple winning factor. At 10-1, it's hard to argue for any team other than Philadelphia as the "best" team in the NFL right now. If Ertz wants to finish the season on a contender, the Eagles are his best bet for another Super Bowl. It would be mighty special to win a second ring in that city.
He has a deep connection with Philadelphia, the organization, and the fanbase. If Ertz is willing to swallow his pride — he was already being vastly out-gained by Trey McBride in Arizona — the Eagles are the best landing spot. It's where he should be, you know.
