Getty John Lynch could keep loading the 49ers roster amid Zach Ertz's release.
The San Francisco 49ers could strike gold after the recent waiver of Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz at a perfect time.
Arizona waived Ertz on November 30 after he requested his release, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Ertz, a three-time Pro Bowler could be a fit on the 49ers offense as a complement to tight end George Kittle, according to USA Today’s For the Win.
“San Francisco really hasn’t gotten much production at all this season from the tight ends behind George Kittle, making them a Kittle injury away from a huge gap on the offensive depth chart,” Cory Woodroof wrote. “You might not think San Francisco makes much sense, but this could one of those insurance signings that pays off in a huge way when you least expect it.”
In addition, the 49ers could field Ertz against his original former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played from 2013 to 2020 and helped the team win a Super Bowl in 2018. The Eagles and 49ers are scheduled to meet in Philadelphia on Sunday, December 3.
Because San Francisco (8-3) has a worse record than the Eagles, the 49ers will get a chance sooner on the waiver wire than the Eagles (10-1). That’s if Ertz falls that far down the waiver wire, especially given that he asked for his release from a 2-10 squad.
Trying new things in retirement, so let’s steal @AdamSchefter job for a day…
TE Zach Ertz has requested & been granted his release from the Arizona Cardinals.
The 3-Time Pro Bowler plans to sign with a contender and make a run at his 2nd Super Bowl ring.
(This is easy Adam)
The 49ers need a quality second tight end to pair with Kittle. While Kittle has been solid as ever with 46 receptions for 667 yards and 5 touchdowns, quarterback Brock Purdy doesn’t have a second go-to tight end.
Niners tight end Ross Dwelley has a catch for 12 yards this season. Fellow tight end Charlie Woerner has one reception for 9 yards.
Ertz, 33, still has much left to offer, considering his 27 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown this season for the Cardinals. He played 64% of the team’s offensive snaps, but he has been hampered by injuries since 2022 with an ACL tear last year and a quad injury this year.
A California native, Ertz also has ties to the Bay Area from playing college football at Stanford before the Eagles drafted him in 2013.
Zach Ertz Gives 49ers Affordable Option on Offense
Purdy would have another effective red zone target with Ertz. In addition, Ertz could pick up yardage on short routes, and he’s effective at catching the ball downfield with his 6-foot-5 frame.
Ertz has a 10.5 yards per reception career average amid 709 catches for 7,434 yards and 46 touchdowns. He also has ample playoff experience, with 36 catches for 381 yards and two touchdowns in eight career postseason games.
Signing Ertz could work for the 49ers despite his salary cap hit of $11.6 million this year. San Francisco has $39.6 million in salary cap space for this season.
Next year remains fuzzy considering the 49ers’ demands in free agency and what Ertz could command. He had a three-year, $31.65 million deal with the Cardinals.
Brock Purdy Targets George Kittle Often Despite Slow Start
BROCK PURDY TO GEORGE KITTLE TD
Adding Ertz would only make Purdy’s job more comfortable down the stretch. Purdy targets Kittle the second most, 61 targets, out of all receivers after wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, 65 targets.
That’s also amid Kittle’s role as run blocker, which factored into a slow start to the season on pass catching. He didn’t have a touchdown grab until the Dallas Cowboys game on October 8.
“I think just the scheme of things, you know, that’s sort of just how we’ve drawn things up,” Purdy said in an October press conference, according to Sports Illustrated’s All 49ers. “That’s how really the games have gone where other guys have popped open and stuff, and George has had to help out with protection, and he’s done such a good job of doing that role, being in protection and checking out on the flat and stuff like that.
“And then when his opportunities come, we take advantage of it. But man, that’s just sort of how it’s gone so far,” Purdy added.
Things mostly took off since late October with two 100-yard games and two games with touchdowns for Kittle.