If the Eagles want Zach Ertz, they should pay him now

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 05: Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after his teams defeat against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 05, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

Tight Ends are starting to get paid. Zach Ertz needs to be one of them.

George Kittle got paid. Travis Kelce got paid. The Philadelphia Eagles need to show Zach Ertz some brotherly love and pay that man.

Per FanSided’s Matt Verderame, keep an eye on Ertz and the Eagles in the coming days and weeks. If nothing gets done, there’s a real chance the two sides are enjoying their last season together.

According to Spotrac, he will be making over $6.6 million this upcoming season and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2022 at the age of 33. This past season, he caught 88 passes for 916 yards (10.4 yards per catch) and six touchdowns.

His numbers dropped off slightly last year compared to 2018 when the Eagles won the Super Bowl, although one could argue it was his most impressive campaign. considering the supporting cast.

Ertz is the fourth highest-paid tight end in the NFL right now behind Rob Gronkowski, Kelce, and Kittle. He has managed to be productive and durable as the Eagles look forward to the future in hopes of having a healthy Carson Wentz at quarterback.

Why should the Eagles give Zach Ertz an extension?

If the Eagles extended Ertz, they’d likely add to his $12.48 million hit against the salary cap this season while potentially inflating his $12.47 million salary in 2021. Hard against the cap, Philadelphia could see it as too much money despite his talent. Additionally, Dallas Goedert is emerging as a young, talented option for the Eagles. Both players were the leading receivers on the team last year due to the wide receiving group being hit by injuries.

Eagles fans wouldn’t want to see Ertz go but should understand that at a certain point, youth becomes more attractive than experience. Especially, in sports.

However, losing Ertz would be a devastating blow. While Goedert has potential, he’s never shown the abilities of the former Stanford star, who is legitimately on a Hall of Fame track. In fact, no tight end has ever notched more receptions than Ertz over their first seven years.

Does Ertz need to work on his blocking and become more valuable in that area? Absolutely, but not signing a top-tier tight end who has proven his value wouldn’t be wise for the Eagles.

Home/Philadelphia Eagles