[jwplayer OsU6wDpN]
The Philadelphia Eagles and tight end Zach Ertz has resumed talks on a contract extension that should tie the All-Pro to the Birds for the remainder of his career.
Speaking of extensions: The #Eagles reengaged on contract talks with TE Zach Ertz, which makes sense after 2 stars at the position got paid. Ertz’s stats put him on a historic pace, with more yards (5,743 vs 5,647) and catches (525 vs 468) than HOFer Tony Gonzalez thru 7 seasons.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 25, 2020
The news comes on the heels of the 49ers and Chiefs breaking the bank for their young stars, as San Francisco gave George Kittle a five-year, $75 million deal, while the Chiefs gave Travis Kelce a four-year, $57 million deal to help reset the tight end market and give the Eagles a basepoint for Ertz’s negotiations.
Kelce’s deal is worth between $14 million and $15 million per year in new money average, similar to Kittle’s $15 million per year average.
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 than both his counterparts, while the Eagles now have the pleasure of extending two top-10 tight ends.
Ertz reportedly turned down a deal that would have paid him $10.5 million per year with two years left on his current deal.