It wasn't the result Zach Ertz wanted (though I'm sure Eagles fans are okay with it), but the former Philadelphia Eagles tight end left Arrowhead in elite company following the Commanders' loss to the Chiefs.
After a four-catch, 16-yard performance, the Eagles' 2013 second-round draft pick is now one of six members to record 800 career receptions. Ertz now joins Shannon Sharpe (Hall of Famer), Tony Gonzalez (Hall of Famer), Antonio Gates (Hall of Famer), Jason Witten, and Travis Kelce as members of the elite group.
Is Ertz's resume enough for him to be considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Ertz spent his first eight-plus seasons with the Eagles, during which he recorded 579 receptions for 6,267 yards and 38 touchdowns. Ertz's 2017 to 2019 season saw him earn three Pro Bowls, including a 116-reception, 1,163-yard 2018 season that saw him temporarily hold the record for most receptions by a tight end in a season, which broke Jason Witten's record of 110.
Despite Ertz's success, the Eagles would trade the Stanford alum in favor of the younger Dallas Goedert in 2021 to the Arizona Cardinals, where he spent parts of three productive but injury-plagued seasons that saw him waived in November of 2023, and then found himself signed to the Lions as a playoff practice squad replacement in January of 2024.
Seemingly at the end of his career, Ertz has been with the Washington Commanders (with whom he signed a one-year deal in March 2024) for the past two seasons, experiencing a bit of a career resurgence. Ertz recorded 66 receptions for 674 receiving yards and seven touchdowns as a veteran option for then-rookie Jayden Daniels, even earning Comeback Player of the Year votes. So far in 2025, Ertz has totaled 27 receptions for 245 yards and four touchdowns as the Commanders sit at 3-5.
At age 34, Ertz has quietly built a resume that will garner Hall of Fame consideration. In addition to durability, records, Pro Bowls, and a Super Bowl ring, Ertz has quietly been a consistent top-tier tight end in the NFL in an era that saw stars like Rob Gronkowski, George Kittle, Jimmy Graham, Witten, and Kelce.
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Ertz's ability to compete with his era's best should have kicked the door in Canton, especially if he puts together additional seasons or two of production.