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The Philadelphia Eagles are just days from the kickoff to their 2020 season and the best tight end in franchise history isn’t feeling the love. During a zoom meeting with the media on Thursday, Ertz visibly voiced his frustration over a lack of a contract extension after the 49ers and Chiefs locked up George Kittle and Travis Kelce to mega-deals.
On Thursday Ertz made it clear that he wants to retire as an Eagle, but he’s “frustrated” and approaching this season as if it’s “his last” in Philadelphia from a contract point of view.
Zach Ertz, speaking to the media for the first time in a while, is letting his feelings be known. Under contract for two more years but acting like it's one. https://t.co/Jb3WoAxkaN
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 10, 2020
Ertz finished the last season third among tight ends in receptions (88), fourth in yards (916), and tied for fourth in touchdowns (6).
During the past three seasons, Ertz ranks third in receptions (278), third in yards (2,903), and second in touchdowns (22). That normally would make the case for Ertz to get a similar deal to his two counterparts, but Kittle is younger and more dynamic. The Eagles also have the pressure of extending two top-10 tight ends, with Dallas Goedert also needing a new deal at some point.
Ertz reportedly turned down a deal that would have paid him $10.5 million per year with two years left on his current deal.
Ertz, 29, currently is set to make $6.6 million in 2020 and $8.25 million in 2021, before becoming an unrestricted free-agent in 2022, but the Eagles could release the star tight end and move on at no cost.
Ertz’s legacy puts pressure on the Eagles as a guy who’ll be the franchise’s all-time receptions leader this season, a possible Hall of Famer, and the player who caught the game-winning score in their first-ever Super Bowl. That would usually give a player the benefit of the doubt in regards to a team wanting him to retire in an Eagles uniform.
The Eagles can let 2020 play out and see where Ertz stands physically after turning 30 years of age, or they can strike now and lock up both of their star tight ends using the leverage of legacy and playing for one team to help get a hometown discount from Ertz.
What they can’t do is let the franchise’s all-time reception leader spend the 2020 NFL season feeling unloved.
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