The Washington Commanders released tight end Logan Thomas last week after four seasons. This week, they replaced him with Zach Ertz. Ertz, 33, signed a one-year deal with Washington that could be worth up to $5 million.
The former Philadelphia Eagle enjoyed a career renaissance when he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021. Ertz caught 56 passes in 11 games with Arizona that year and followed it up with 47 catches in the first 10 games of the 2022 season before suffering a knee injury.
Who was Ertz’s coach in Arizona? New Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
Kingsbury liked the veteran tight end so much that the Cardinals gave the then-31-year-old Ertz a two-year extension before injuries undermined the rest of his tenure in the desert.
For the Commanders, Ertz is a smart, short-term addition for multiple reasons. He’ll be a tremendous asset to a rookie quarterback and any other young tight ends Washington adds to the roster — and he’s not going to cost much.
You can bet that Ertz is excited to reunite with Kingsbury. In an appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday, Ertz said he was excited to play for head coach Dan Quinn and Kingsbury.
“Obviously, Kliff has been a huge part of my success the past two years in Arizona,” Ertz said.
“So when he got the job in Washington, and I was a free agent, it was very easy for me to say, ‘Hey, this is a place I would love to play for.’ They’ve essentially redone the entire building since when I first came into the league. New owner, new GM now, new head coach. And I’ve never heard anyone say a bad word about Dan Quinn. And so, I am extremely excited to play for him and get back on the East Coast is going to be fun.”
"I'm extremely excited to play for Kliff Kingsbury and Dan Quinn..
It's gonna be fun to get back on the east coast" ~ @ZERTZ_86 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/lw8sLpWNcR
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 7, 2024
It’s refreshing for Washington fans to hear veteran players want to come to Washington to play for this coaching staff.
What type of impact will Ertz have in 2024? The Commanders have the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, which means Ertz will likely be catching passes from either Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels.
Ertz has shown in the past that he can be the best friend of a young quarterback. Washington hopes for something similar next season.