Former Cardinals TE Returns to NFC East
ARIZONA -- Former Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz was a free agent heading into 2024, and now he's joining a team he's quite familiar with.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Ertz is signing with the Washington Commanders.
"Three-time Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz is signing with the #Commanders on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million, per source."
Ertz - who joined the Detroit Lions' practice squad deep in their postseason push weeks after requesting to be released by the Cardinals - turned 33 this past November and spent time on injured reserve with a quad injury.
Ertz hasn't played a full season since 2021, where he was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to Arizona near the trade deadline after the Cardinals lost Maxx Williams to a season-ending injury.
Ertz is rather familiar with the Commanders after spending the first eight full seasons of his career with the Eagles. He was a second-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft out of Stanford.
Ertz is a prior Super Bowl champion with three Pro Bowls on his resume. He's an immediate upgrade over current tight ends in Washington such as John Bates, Cole Turner and Armani Rogers.
Washington - who has former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury as their offensive coordinator - also has the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and could draft a top quarterback with their selection.
As for Arizona, the Cardinals are quite content with how Trey McBride emerged as a prominent starter and target for quarterback Kyler Murray. McBride projects to be one of the best tight ends in football for 2024.
