Eagles Fans Have Three Big Reasons to Be Excited About Zach Ertz return

Before the 2013 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles history at the Tight End position featured plenty of good players, but no elite pass catchers. From Keith Jackson to Chad Lewis to Brent Celek, the Eagles had some well-rounded Tight Ends who were good blockers and above-average pass catchers.

But football fans entered the 21st Century seeing a new age of players at the Tight End position around the National Football League. Seemed like every team had a Pass-Catching threat at Tight End:

*Tony Gonzalez (Chiefs)
*Antonio Gates (Chargers)
*Shannon Sharpe (Broncos and Ravens)
*Randy McMichael (Dolphins)
*Greg Olsen (Bears and Panthers)
*Jimmy Graham (Saints and Seahawks)
*Jason Witten (Cowboys)

So when Philadelphia drafted Zach Ertz in 2013, Philly Sports fans were excited about the potential for the Stanford University Tight End coming into the NFL. But no one could have projected that Ertz would become one of the Eagles best pass catchers in franchise history.

Since Ertz was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021, many Eagles fans have wondered about a return for the Philadelphia Sports Legend. Now five years later, Philadelphia is bringing one of the key members of the Super Bowl 52 champions back.

Top Reasons why I am excited Zach Ertz is BACK in Philadelphia

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

1. Needs 11 Receptions to become Eagles All-Time Leader in Catches
No offense to the Pro Football Hall of Famer Harold Carmichael, but the evolution of the passing game in the NFL over the last 40 years makes it very appropriate for Zach Ertz to be the new franchise leader.

84.5 percent of Ertz catches in an Eagles uniform were over a six year period, another example of how reliable and elite a pass catchers he was in an Eagles uniform. Didn't matter if the Quarterback was Nick Foles, Mark Sanchez, Sam Bradford, Carson Wentz, or Jalen Hurts, Ertz was the team's most trustworthy target.

2. Eagles Tight End Depth Chart is a disaster
The hope was that when Philadelphia drafted Eli Stowers from Vanderbilt, one of college football's best Tight Ends would help the Eagles in 2026. But now both Stowers and Grant Calcaterra are on Injured Reserve, so when Dallas Goedert left Sunday's game in Tennessee with a Sprained MCL in his right knee, Philadelphia only had Johnny Mundt and EJ Jenkins available to play.

Both Mundt and Jenkins are better blockers than pass catchers, leaving the Eagles offense with a key position on passing downs. That's why Birds 365 Host John McMullen said on Tuesday's The Sports Bash with Mike Gill that Zach Ertz is a better pass catcher "coming off his couch" than anyone else left in the Eagles Tight End room. Philadelphia needs the threat of Ertz the pass catcher as much as the actual player running routes on third down.

3. Eagles can use more locker room veterans
Only 11.5 percent of the Eagles players on the active roster, practice squad, and injured reserve have played at least nine seasons in the NFL. Philadelphia has 12 starting players who have 5 years or less of NFL experience. Zach Ertz is a beloved teammate of every player that has played with him during his career, and I am happy to see this type of veteran being inserted in the Eagles' locker room.