Monday afternoon, it was announced that Eagles star tight end Dallas Goedert would be sidelined for multiple weeks after suffering a sprained MCL in their game against the Titans. This left Philadelphia fans in a panic, as Goedert is a key part of the Eagles’ offense, both as a receiver and as a run blocker.
Not to mention Eli Stowers, who’s Philadelphia’s second-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft, is still on injured reserve with hamstring and quadriceps injuries. For a short period of time, it seemed the Eagles’ answer at tight end one for the next few weeks was Johnny Mundt.
Then an hour after the initial announcement about Goedert’s injury, it was announced that Philadelphia would be signing Zach Ertz. Now the question is: does the franchise legend have anything left in the tank?
Zach Ertz’s Commanders Stint Shows He Can Still Contribute For The Eagles
Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) makes a catch against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
These past two seasons, Ertz played for the Washington Commanders. During this time in Washington, he showed that despite being past his prime, he can provide positive production.
In the 2024 season, Ertz recorded 66 receptions, 654 yards, and seven receiving touchdowns on 91 targets. Philadelphia’s newly signed tight end ranked ninth best in EPA per target this year among qualified tight ends at +0.33.
Ertz was the second-best receiving weapon for a Commanders offense that ranked top seven in EPA per play, success percentage, and EPA per pass. This past season was a year where Washington as a whole regressed, was ravaged by injuries, and Ertz tore his ACL and LCL in week 14.
In 2025 Ertz delivered 50 receptions, 504 yards, and four receiving touchdowns on 72 targets. Ertz this season had his lowest target separation since 2020, at 1.53 yards per target. Along with falling to ranking 15th in EPA per target at +0.16.
Zach Ertz Can Fill Some of Dallas Goedert’s Red-Zone Production
Jan 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) before a NFC wild card playoff against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images/ File Photo
Ertz can somewhat fill the void Goedert’s absence is leaving behind as a red-zone threat. He earned 11 receiving touchdowns with the Commanders, all coming from the red zone per Devin Jackson. Specifically in the 2024 season, he racked up 20 red zone targets, ranking fourth in the NFL amongst tight ends.
Philadelphia’s old friend can line up both as a traditional tight end and in the slot. Out of his 343 routes run in the 2025 season, over 254 came out of the slot. In the season prior, Ertz ran 436 routes, and 366 were out of the slot.
Zach Ertz Gives Jalen Hurts A Reliable Intermediate Target
Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) looks on before the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Image
Ertz will also give the Eagles another reliable target on in-breaking routes. Under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, we’ve seen Jalen Hurts more willing and comfortable attacking the intermediate part of the field than at any point in his career.
Hurts has also been excelling at throwing in this part of the field so far this season. Through the first two weeks of this season, he leads the NFL in EPA per attempt on throws 10-19 air yards downfield.
Their new signing has a knack for in-breaking routes, and with Washington he made a killing on those routes. During those two seasons, Ertz finished with 37 catches, 385 yards, and eight of his 11 touchdowns on in-breaking routes per Next Gen Stats.
End Of Eagles Signing Zach Ertz Rant
Nov 13, 2025; Madrid, Spain; Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz at press conference at Ciudad Deportiva del Real Madrid. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Philadelphia signing Ertz is more than simply a feel-good story. While he’s not the same caliber of receiver and blocker that Goedert is.
Plus, it’s still a question of how much he bounces back coming off a major lower-body injury at this stage of his career. Ertz coming in and being a solid possession-receiving tight end is more than a reasonable outcome. He’ll not only hold down the fort until Goedert comes back, but potentially be a decent complementary piece to his former teammate.
