Report: Zach Ertz clears waivers, expected mutual interest in returning to the Philadelphia Eagles

NFL veteran tight end Zach Ertz cleared waivers Friday after being waived by the Arizona Cardinals (2-10) the day prior.

The 33-year-old is now free to sign with any team, and according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) are expected to have interest in signing him. Ertz spent the first eight plus seasons of his career in Philadelphia, hoisting a Lombardi Trophy during the 2017 season. But given the emergence of Dallas Goedert and the two sides unable to work out a long-term extension, the Eagles traded Ertz to the Cardinals midway through the 2021 season.

During his tenure in Philadelphia, Ertz hauled in 579 receptions for 6,267 yards and 38 touchdowns. He also appeared in three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2017-19. In 28 games for the Cardinals, he recorded 130 receptions for 1,167 yards and eight scores. Hampered by a quad injury, Ertz has appeared in just seven games this season. Ertz has missed the last five games due to the injury.

Cardinals GM explains decision to waive Zach Ertz

“Unfortunately, one of the bad parts of football is injuries. I think during [Ertz’s latest injured reserve stint], we had a few things happen,” Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort said Friday, via Arizona Sports. “Trey McBride really came on, asserted himself and really became a focal point of our offense. It’s been fun to watch his development both as a blocker and a receiver and really been a big part of what we’ve been doing here these last six weeks.

“When it came down to it, Zach had interest in going to seek other opportunities. … We had conversations over the last couple weeks, and this ended up being the best for both parties to go a different direction at this time.”

As Ossenfort mentioned, McBride, the team’s second-round pick in last year’s NFL Draft, has come on in Ertz’s absence. In the last five games, he’s hauled in 33 receptions on 44 targets for 351 yards and a touchdown.

“Zach’s been great. He’s been a great role model, a great guy that I looked up to, a guy that I watched playing since I was a little kid,” McBride said Friday. “To be in this room, to play with him for however I did was very special. I’m very grateful for my time with Zach. I have a lot of respect for him, I love the way he plays and I’m super excited to watch where he continues to play his career. He’s a great guy. I plan on staying in touch with him and looking forward to the future.”