The Philadelphia Eagles moved on from a beloved player Friday, one day after losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They traded tight end Zach Ertz to the Cardinals for rookie CB Tay Gowan and a 2022 fifth-round pick.
Ertz had been the subject of trader rumors since the offseason, and the Eagles finally found a suitor in the Cardinals, who placed tight end Maxx Williams on IR recently. As a result, it wasn’t a terribly surprising move to be made mid-season, but it’s still tough to see Ertz heading to a different team after spending eight-plus years in Philadelphia.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the news Friday.
I have zero Tay Gowan opinions. Happy for Ertz though! Go prosper. https://t.co/gWqKvq7BKG
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) October 15, 2021
Fitting his final game was on an #Eagles Hall of Fame induction night. Can't wait for No. 86's turn. https://t.co/zodOxqlrHN
— Chris McPherson (@cmaceagles) October 15, 2021
“This is the place I want to be. This is the place I want to retire.” -Zach Ertz on September 1, 2021
I’m sure Ertz will be happy to land with a contender with the #Cardinals, but after everything that went on he finally seemed to be in a good place again with the #Eagles.
— Ryan Talbot (@RyanTalbotBills) October 15, 2021
I love how the Cardinals approach this season has basically been to acquire as many big names as they can
— AJ Schulte (@AJDraftScout) October 15, 2021
An all-time great Eagle #FlyEaglesFly https://t.co/pMPUVzGW7L
— Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) October 15, 2021
The Eagles are obviously not ready for primetime, and a big reason they aren't is because of Howie Roseman, but he's set them up for a bunch of success this year. In the 2022 Draft the Eagles currently have:
3 1sts (all top 10)
2nd
3rd
4th
3 5ths— Joe Dolan (@FG_Dolan) October 15, 2021
Go get another one @ZERTZ_86 ❤️pic.twitter.com/JZpHlm5V6A
— John Barchard (@JohnBarchard) October 15, 2021
Zach Ertz leaves the team second all-time in receptions, having scored the game-winning touchdown in the team's only Super Bowl victory. Played through fractured ribs and a lacerated kidney. Always emphasized his love for the city. An all-time Eagle.
— Bo Wulf (@Bo_Wulf) October 15, 2021
You always cared. You always gave it 110%. You always embraced this city and you’ll be an Eagle forever 💚#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/9R2HDXEJRQ
— Underground Sports Philadelphia (@UndergroundPHI) October 15, 2021
Zach Ertz is Cardinals is a good move for everybody. Cardinals fill a need created by injury. Dallas Goedert gets all of the meaningful TE snaps in Philly. No more concern about having a disgruntled Ertz by paying Goedert.
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) October 15, 2021
For everything you contributed on and off the field, thank you @ZERTZ_86. pic.twitter.com/fBJLnkCUQn
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 15, 2021
Hope @Eagles fans fully appreciate how special @ZERTZ_86 has been both on AND off the field in Philly.
He’s an Eagles Hall of Fame player and person. 👍
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) October 15, 2021