Tight end Zach Ertz knew his NFL career wasn't over, but finding a place to start over at 33 years old isn't easy. Landing in Washington with the rebuilding Commanders -- new coach, new quarterback, new direction -- who hadn't won consistently in decades would present the latest challenge.
"I just wanted an opportunity to come out here and prove that I am still the same guy," Ertz said Wednesday, via The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The guy was an Eagles stalwart for eight-plus seasons, generating three Pro Bowls and playing a key role in Philly's first Super Bowl victory. Following a midseason trade in 2021 to Arizona, Ertz strayed out of thought and time. He battled through injury, playing in 28 games in two-and-a-half seasons with the Cardinals, finding himself less productive than at any point in his career in Philadelphia.
Following former coach Kliff Kingsbury to D.C. offered a chance to revitalize his career.
"It was really an opportunity for me to just fall back in love with the game again," Ertz said, "and really just enjoy the process again and just be around people that know how to use me and allow me to be at my best. It's just been so much fun. It's exceeded all my expectations. Obviously playing with a quarterback like has helped a ton and just his humility and eagerness to grow."
Ertz was an Eagles go-to target for much of his eight-plus seasons in Philly. His 579 career catches with the Eagles are the second-most in club history (589 by Hall of Famer Harold Carmichael). He owns the team record for most catches, receiving yards (6,267) and receiving TDs by a tight end (38).
In Washington, the now 34-year-old plays a different role. He's more security blanket than stat padder.
"It's not the volume for me anymore," Ertz said. "I've had all the stats that I need to have. It's just about making an impact however I can."
Ertz's impact comes in the big moments. The tight end leads Washington with 25 targets and 16 catches in the red zone. He has eight red-zone TD receptions, including playoffs, in 2024, tied for second-most among tight ends.
He's battled through concussion and shoulder issues, and a rib concern that had him on the injury report this week. Yet he didn't miss a contest this season, providing a calming leadership to a team galvanized quickly under Dan Quinn.
"I still feel like we're just scratching the surface together as a quarterback-tight end relationship, even though it's the NFC championship," Ertz said. "I still feel like there's so much room to grow."
In the Divisional Round win over Detroit, Ertz caught his first playoff touchdown since Super Bowl LII in the Eagles' win over New England. On Sunday, Ertz will become the second player in NFL history to have a game-winning TD in the Super Bowl for a team and face that team in the playoffs down the road, joining Santonio Holmes, who scored a game-winning TD in SB XLIII for Pittsburgh and then lost to the Steelers in the 2010 AFC Championship Game with the New York Jets. Ertz is looking for a different ending to that unique statistic.
"I understand the environment it's going to be," Ertz said. "I understand how I'm going to be received this time versus last time. Everyone knows how I feel about that building, the people in that building, the people in that community. Our foundation is still doing work out there for a reason. But at the same time, I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that we're giving ourselves a chance to win the football game. When the whistle blows, it's not going to be about the nine years I had there, it's going to be about trying to make as many plays for this team as possible.
"I'm not going out there with a chip on my shoulder or trying to prove to people X, Y or Z. I'm just trying to go out there and be the best version of myself."