Contract Terms
A source tells NFL Network's Tom Pelissero that three-time Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz is signing with the Washington Commanders on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million.
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Fantasy Football Impact
Ertz, who spent his first nine seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before being traded to Arizona, finds himself back in the NFC East. In Washington, Ertz reunites with former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury, the Commanders' incoming offensive coordinator.
The veteran tight end appeared in seven games with the Cardinals last season, catching 27 passes with one touchdown, before going on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury. Already losing ground to emerging second-year man Trey McBride, Ertz subsequently asked for and was granted his release from Arizona. He joined the Detroit Lions' practice squad the week before the NFC Championship Game. He was not elevated to the active roster for that game.
As NFL.com's Nick Shook notes, Kingsbury is well-versed in how to use Ertz. During their time together in Arizona, Ertz saw 150 targets, catching 103 for 980 yards and seven touchdowns before Kingsbury was fired following the conclusion of the 2022 season. He was also quite productive with the Eagles, catching 579 passes with 38 touchdowns over his nine years with the club. He made the Pro Bowl each season from 2017-19.
He has 709 catches, 7,434 yards, and 46 touchdowns for his career.
Now, he lands in Washington, where his value will be tied to a still-undetermined quarterback.
Still, Ertz fills a need after the commanders released veteran Logan Thomas last week. Assuming the team brings in a rookie, having a capable safety valve at the position would be a benefit. If the Commanders roll with a veteran free agent, counting on Ertz to be a legitimate contributor in an offense that's leaned heavily on him in the past is a reasonable expectation.
Ertz has fallen off the board, given the circumstances. He's currently TE66 on Underdog. Even if that rises notably (his current Average Draft Position is 240), Ertz will likely remain an outlier until we gain clarity on Washington's quarterback. Investing in him as a very late TE2 or even TE3 in best ball could play dividends, but redrafters and Dynasty managers will want to revisit as the season draws nearer.
The Fantasy Football Fallout
The Commanders have a blocking tight end in John Bates and no proven pass catcher, but they do have Cole Turner, who has caught 13 passes combined in his first two seasons. The 6-foot-6 Turner, a converted wide receiver, has been a fringe prospect since he arrived in Washington. But he's never gained any traction. The team also has Armani Rogers, who missed last year with an Achilles injury suffered in spring practice. He caught five passes in 11 games as a rookie after converting from playing quarterback in college.
Even if Kingsbury targets Ertz as heavily in Washington as he did in Arizona, it's hard to imagine the new tight end significantly impacting the values of starting wideouts Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dostson.
Stock Watch
Risers
Fallers
Overview
The Washington Commanders made their first significant signing under new general manager Adam Peters. They reunited offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury with one of his former Cardinals players by signing veteran tight end Zach Ertz to a one-year deal contract. The move comes less than a week after the release of former starter Logan Thomas. Ertz will be a low-cost TE2 on your fantasy roster, who might even be available as a streaming option depending on the team's quarterback situation, which is currently unresolved.