Zach Ertz is returning to the Philadelphia Eagles, signing with the practice squad ahead of Week 3 after injuries hit the team’s tight end room. The 35-year-old veteran spent time in Philadelphia, where he secured the franchise’s first Super Bowl title with a game-winning catch.
The unexpected homecoming brings a familiar face back to a green-laden locker room. Zach Ertz walked through the training room last week, observing that the facilities are a little better
and the locker room is a little bigger
than when he last played for the organization in 2021.
Traded in 2021 amid contract disagreements, Ertz later spent time with the Washington Commanders before suffering a torn ACL and LCL on Dec. 7.
Motivated by his wife, Julie, and their three sons, the 35-year-old tight end attacked his rehabilitation. I was gonna do everything I could to get back, and I could live with those results,
Ertz said. But if I couldn’t, then I would know. I’d be at peace. But I couldn’t live with the fact that I just gave up and there was a ‘What-if’ hanging over my life for the rest of my life.
How Dallas Goedert Injury and Roster Pressures Forced a Reunion
While Ertz’s return feels like a storybook narrative, practical roster concerns drove the move.
The Eagles carried a group of tight ends behind Goedert into the regular season. Johnny Mundt was brought in as a free agent primarily for blocking, while E.J. Jenkins serves as a developmental project who transitioned from a college receiver. Meanwhile, Eli Stowers has been affected by a hamstring injury over the past week.
General manager Howie Roseman and the front office recognized that the roster needed a proven pass catcher to support quarterback Jalen Hurts during Goedert’s recovery. Ertz ranks among the most productive tight ends in NFL history, boasting 825 career receptions, 8,592 receiving yards, and 57 touchdowns across 13 seasons.
Learning a Brand-New Offense Under Sean Mannion
Getting Ertz onto the field for Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears required a rapid education.
“Zach has a lot of history with the organization. We’re excited to bring him in and use the week to see what his role here will look like.”
Sean Mannion, Eagles offensive coordinator, via NFL
Mentoring Eli Stowers Inside the Locker Room
Beyond his on-field utility, Ertz has already stepped into a role off the turf. The veteran tight end’s locker was placed directly next to Eli Stowers, who is currently working through hurdles of his rookie year.
The two share an agent, and Ertz noted that he has already heard plenty about Stowers’ athleticism.
“Everyone has a superpower in this league, and he’s got to play to his superpower. I’m looking forward to helping him kind of unlock that mentally, physically, to be at his best. I really embrace that role in my later stage of life … football life, I should say.”
Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles tight end, via PennLive
What to Expect When Ertz Hits the Field
As kickoff against the Bears approaches, expectations for Ertz’s snap count remain measured. Reports indicate the team planned to elevate Ertz from the practice squad for the Week 3 matchup, though his exact workload depends on how much of the scheme he masters.
Analysts point out that Ertz can immediately provide a reliable third-down and red-zone option for Hurts, particularly given the smaller physical profiles of wideouts DeVonta Smith and Makai Lemon. Moving Ertz into the slot can also force Chicago’s defense to account for favorable matchups against linebackers and defensive backs in space, opening intermediate lanes for the rest of the passing attack.