The Philadelphia Eagles have repaired the fractured relationship they once had with star tight end Zach Ertz. The three-time Pro Bowler was given permission to seek a trade this past offseason after the two sides could not come to terms on an extension for his contract which runs through 2021, but he is now ready to let bygones be bygones.
In his first press conference in months, Ertz recommitted himself to the Eagles and said he's ready to move on from the drama.
"Like I've said all along, this is the place I want to be, this is the place I want to retire. Those feeling haven't changed," Ertz said, via ESPN. "I'm moving on from everything that happened this offseason. There have been apologies, there have been things that we've mended and, ultimately, I'm here, I'm excited to be here and I'm excited to be a member of this football team."
In March, it appeared Ertz was on his way out of Philly. Reports from the NFL Network even claimed he was "getting antsy" for a trade to come to fruition, but one never did. General manager Howie Roseman apparently did not field an offer that he believed was fair compensation for the kind of player Ertz is.
"This organization has believed in me not only these first eight years of my career, but they believed in me probably more so than anyone else did in the league. They were standing firm to what they believed was fair and, ultimately, I can't fault them for that," Ertz said. "For me, in my faith, it's all about forgiveness, forgiveness, and who am I not to extend a forgiving arm with everything I believe in my faith? I'm here now. The offseason is over. This is all about the Philadelphia Eagles and being the best player I can be for this team and this city."
Ertz will now play out his contract in Philly, and help Jalen Hurts in his transition to franchise quarterback. The former second-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft has been one of the best tight ends in the league over the past decade, and owns the NFL record for most receptions recorded in a single season by a tight end with 116 in 2018. Ertz caught a career-low 36 catches for 335 yards and one touchdown last season in just 11 games due to an ankle injury, but the organization is still high on his ability and what he brings to their offense.
"I think when you talk about the guys that are here and the kind of player that he is, and you think about our young skill position group, and having a Pro Bowl player like that on your roster who players can learn from, it's huge. It's huge for us," Roseman said to reporters last week. "Again, just really excited to have him here, and being out there today is huge for our football team as we get started."
This offseason was not a pleasant one for Ertz with the trade rumors and his ankle surgery, but he's ready to forgive and forget.
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