Could Zach Ertz Reunite With Doug Pederson and Press Taylor in Jacksonville?

There are few times when an experienced and productive skill-player is available in December, but that is the case when it comes to tight end Zach Ertz.

Ertz asked for his release from the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, per J.J. Watt, and is seeking a chance at another Super Bowl ring with a contender. Could the Jacksonville Jaguars be that contender?

Trying new things in retirement, so let’s steal @AdamSchefter job for a day...

TE Zach Ertz has requested & been granted his release from the Arizona Cardinals.

The 3-Time Pro Bowler plans to sign with a contender and make a run at his 2nd Super Bowl ring.

(This is easy Adam) pic.twitter.com/pK4qCcCfay
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) November 30, 2023

Ertz will have to pass through waivers before becoming an unrestricted free agent. Ertz has been on injured reserve since Oct. 24 with a quad strain. In seven games this year, he has caught 27 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown.

The connection between the Jaguars and Ertz is obvious. The best years of Ertz's career came under Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson in Philadelphia, where Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor also played a big role.

Ertz also is close with Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk after the two spent a season together in Arizona. Kirk even said after signing with the Jaguars that Ertz went to bat to Pederson and helped sell him on Jacksonville.

“I remember Zach Ertz telling me ‘Hey, [if] you don’t come back here to Arizona, if you get an opportunity to look at Jacksonville because of Doug Pederson, you should really take it seriously because he’s one of the best.’ Obviously, Zach played for Doug in Philly, won a Super Bowl. So [he said], ‘You should really consider playing for Doug’ and that carried a lot of weight for me," Kirk said.

With that said, it does feel unlikely at this point in time. The Jaguars only carry three tight ends on their active roster. One of them is Evan Engram, who is among the most targeted tight ends in football. Another is rookie second-round pick Brenton Strange, whose roster spot is obviously secured.

Then there is third-year tight end Luke Farrell. Farrell is coming off the most productive game of his career and is the No. 2 tight end on the roster, even in front of Strange.

Considering the Eagles themselves have a hole at tight end, and other teams like the Baltimore Ravens will likely have interest, it is probably a long-shot that Ertz becomes a Jaguar ... but not long enough to put at 0%.