It looked like it might be all over for Zach Ertz.
Though he was one of the league’s better tight ends with the Eagles (2013-2020), Ertz had been released by the Cardinals during the 2023 season and then released by the Lions from their practice squad.
The Commanders came calling and signed Ertz to a one-year free agent deal for 2024. Ertz came through big for the Commanders in 2024, far exceeding the expectations of many who knew of his two releases by the Cardinals and Lions. Amassing 66 receptions, including seven touchdown receptions, Ertz was re-signed by the Commanders for the 2025 season.
Doug Farrar of Athlon Sports recently sat down with Ertz to discuss his route-running, among other things. Surprisingly, Ertz was forthcoming with some information regarding plays and design, while Farrar reviewed some film of Ertz catching passes during the 2024 season for the Commanders. For instance, the touchdown pass against the Falcons for the win in overtime? Ertz volunteered that the play was the one on which he has probably caught the most touchdowns for Washington.
Ertz discussed getting under the defense in the red zone and how Jayden Daniels had demonstrated very good timing in learning Kliff Kingsbury’s design and concepts. After being released twice, it seemed Ertz’s 13th season in the NFL with Washington would certainly be his last. However, the season turned out to be nothing less than a rejuvenation for Ertz.
Spending some time with Farrar, Ertz discussed how to diagnose coverages and how he fills the gaps in defensive zone schemes. As for his upcoming 14th NFL season, the veteran has learned that nothing comes easy in the NFL and that a team’s results can vary greatly from season to season. “I expect this is going to sound cliche — it’s going to sound like the old veteran answer. But I expect us to hopefully not to put any stock into our success last year.”
