Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz has had a tough 2025 season. A serious injury made him miss the end of the season, and the Commanders had to settle without him. They had a 5-12 record in the regular season and missed the playoffs.
Now in the offseason, they are making some important moves. This has resulted in Ertz being let go and there were rumors he will retire, but he has now addressed the issue.
Zach Ertz will not retire and eyes 2026 return
Ertz had a serious injury during the Week 14 game against the Minnesota Vikings. He tore his right ACL and had to be carted off, and missed the rest of the season. He had 50 receptions for 504 yards and four touchdowns in the 13 games he played in 2025. He was expected to miss the start of the next season, as this type of injury requires 9-12 months of rehab.
Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) is carted off the field after an injury during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) is carted off the field after an injury during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Furthermore, the Commanders have decided to let go of the player, after his one-year, $6.25 million deal has ended. He will enter free agency in March. Now aged 35-years-old, it was expected by many that he will finally announce his retirement as he is left without a franchise, seriously injured, and very old.
However, the veteran tight end is not going to retire. Just two months into his rehab, a video by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero has emerged showing Ertz jumping ropes and deadlifting without any problems. It shows that he is recovering well, and is reportedly targeting to return to full fitness before Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, which is around 9 months from his injury.
It will be his 14th NFL season and he will need a medical clearance, as well as find a new franchise to play for. And it seems that one franchise is being heavily linked with the veteran.
Philadelphia Eagles linked to sign Zach Ertz
The Philadelphia Eagles are strongly linked to a potential reunion with Ertz. The tight end spent his first nine seasons there and won a Super Bowl with them. As he is a free agent now, the Eagles could sign him to bolster their squad. While he is no longer in his prime and is going to become 36-years-old soon, he still has much experience to justify his signing and is also one of the NFL’s best-ever tight ends.
He will most likely be given a one-year contract as a short-term signing to solve immediate problems. There is some uncertainty regarding Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert, who could become a free agent soon. There is no indication whether he will re-sign or walk away from the franchise, so Ertz could be a good option to replace him in case the latter happens.
Zach Ertz will continue his recovery and it remains to be seen whether the Eagles manage to sign him.