Veteran Zach Ertz has celebrated his return to the Philadelphia Eagles this week. The tight end is back with the team that drafted him about five years after the organization traded him away.
Since returning to Philadelphia early Tuesday morning, Ertz has expressed what it means for him to be back. After all, he never really wanted to go when he departed the team at the trade deadline in 2021.
“I never wanted to leave in the first place,” Ertz admitted to reporters Thursday. “The opportunity finally arose that I could come back.
As he continued, Ertz also revealed he has tried to return to Philadelphia previously. The tight end finally got his wish.
“There’s been times I’ve asked in the past, and it didn’t come to fruition for whatever reason, but for me, it’s just a blessing to be back. If you told me when I got hurt that I’d be back here in nine and a half months practicing for the Philadelphia Eagles, you could have signed me up then.”
Zach Ertz’s Homecoming With the Philadelphia Eagles
At the 2021 NFL trade deadline, the Eagles were ready to move on with Dallas Goedert as their primary tight end. So, the team dealt Ertz, who was also on an expiring contract at the time.
Ironically, Ertz is now returning to Philadelphia to replace Goedert, who suffered a sprained MCL during Week 2. Goedert remains on the active roster, but he could miss multiple games. Additionally, Eagles tight ends Grant Calcaterra and Eli Stowers are on injured reserve.
Ertz is back to provide Philadelphia’s depleted tight end room a boost.
The veteran tight end returns to the Eagles 11 catches shy of becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions.
Ertz’s Role for Philadelphia in Week 3?
When reports first surfaced the Eagles were going to sign Ertz, NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported the team would elevate the tight end from their practice squad for Week 3.
That’s likely still the plan. But on Friday, The Athletic’s Brooks Kubena cast some doubt over the certainty Ertz would play in Week 3 and on his role should he play.
“Ertz’s own recovery remains an obstacle. Ertz said his right knee ‘feels great,’ but he acknowledged that he still needs to get it game-ready after nearly 10 months away from the field,” wrote Kubena. It raises questions about how much Ertz can contribute Monday night against the Chicago Bears — if the Eagles promote him from the practice squad at all.
Ertz acknowledged this week the playbook is “all new” to him. So, there’s going to be a learning curve.
Last season with the Washington Commanders, Ertz tore his right ACL in early December. Although healthy now, what he can provide after just a week in Sean Mannion’s offense in his first game back from significant injury remains to be seen.
In recent years, Ertz has remained very productive. With the Commanders during 2025, he had 50 catches, 504 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
He returns to the Eagles with 825 receptions, 8,592 receiving yards and 57 touchdowns in 181 career games.
Zach Ertz Opens Up on Eagles Departure Before Week 3 Return vs. Bears