Did Zach Ertz make mistake asking for release from Cardinals?

Zach Ertz is probably interested in this week’s game between the Cardinals and Eagles because he was a player for both

clubs in the past. Unfortunately, after the veteran tight end requested his release

from Arizona, the rest of the NFL showed little interest in him.

Before the 2021 trade deadline, Ertz arrived in Arizona through trade. During

his nine seasons as an Eagle, he participated in 123 games and caught

579 receptions for 6,267 yards and 38 touchdowns. From 2016 to 2019, he was

Philadelphia’s top receiver and was nominated for three Pro Bowls.

Along with his 67 yards and touchdown to help the Eagles win Super Bowl LII, Ertz was traded to Arizona for

cornerback Tay Gowen and a fifth-round pick in 2022 after he was deemed

expendable due to the rise of teammate tight end Dallas Goedert.

With the Cardinals, Ertz was unable to duplicate his Eagles’ success, and in 2023 he was limited to just seven games due to

a quad injury. Trey McBride, the team’s 2022 second-round selection, filled in for

him, and his 743 yards are currently seventh-most among tight ends in 2023.

Again, Ertz was disposable, but it was clearly a mistake to demand his complete

freedom. He reportedly held meaningful talks with six playoff-ready clubs in the hopes of making an impression on a

contender, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

The 33-year-old tight end is still unsigned as of right now, although he did just

stage a sort of comeback in Philadelphia. This week, the Ertz Family Foundation

gave out more than 700 coats, hats, and gloves to people in the Philadelphia

neighborhood. The foundation was established in 2018 by Ertz and his wife

Julie, and it is still in the city despite Ertz’s migration to Arizona.

If Ertz supports the Eagles on Sunday, it seems he will always have a place in

Philadelphia even if the NFL has moved on from him.