“In his own words, the recently retired future Hall of Famer and former Arizona Cardinals tight end, J.J. Watt, temporarily embraced his inner Adam Schefter. Watt broke the news that his former teammate, Zach Ertz, who was then a tight end for the Arizona Cardinals, had requested his release from the team. Their friendship endured beyond Watt’s brief two-season stint with the Cardinals, making the news-breaking task more accessible with their strong connection.
In a somewhat indirect manner, Ertz had taken over Watt’s position as tight end. Acquired on October 15, 2021, from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for cornerback Tay Gowan and a fifth-round selection in the 2022 Draft, Ertz joined the Cardinals just in time. The trade preceded Watt’s second-quarter shoulder injury in the Week 7 matchup on October 24, necessitating season-ending surgery after further examination.
Ertz had already surpassed Watt’s performance since his arrival, reinforcing the Cardinals’ tight end position due to Watt’s struggles. Now, Ertz is departing, officially announced in a press release shortly after Watt’s revelation. It turns out the new “Schef” was accurate.
Despite a quad injury leading to a five-game absence and a strong replacement in Trey McBride, Ertz’s impact in the 2023 season was not as significant as in 2021. Nevertheless, being a three-time Pro Bowler with recent standout seasons, Ertz anticipates a competitive market for his services.
Expressing a desire to join a more successful team than the struggling 2-10 Cardinals, Ertz may face limitations due to the waivers process. The Cardinals will be responsible for Ertz’s Week 13 salary, making any claiming team liable for the remaining $2.43 million of his $11.605 million total cap hit for 2023.
Contending teams like the Baltimore Ravens or Kansas City Chiefs, considering their tight end needs, might find Ertz’s credentials worth the payable price. If the Philadelphia Eagles wish to reclaim Ertz, they have the ideal salary cap flexibility for the claim. Despite the risk of a non-contending team claiming him, Ertz appears to target a return to Philadelphia, evident from the timing aligning perfectly with the Eagles’ cap space and his affinity for the city. However, Ertz remains subject to the decisions of other teams since he has not officially become a free agent.”
“With the decision’s timing seemingly synchronized with the Philadelphia Eagles’ cap space and Ertz’s affection for the city, all signs point to his desire to reunite with the Eagles. However, Ertz has not officially entered free agency, leaving his future at the mercy of other teams.
The intrigue lies in whether a contender will take a chance on Ertz, valuing his experience and potential contributions. Teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs, with apparent needs at the tight end position, could view the cost as reasonable for a seasoned veteran.
Alternatively, the Eagles, having resolved previous tensions regarding Ertz’s contract extension desires, present an enticing option for the tight end. The waivers process adds an element of uncertainty, and Ertz’s fate is in the hands of teams higher in the waiver queue.
While it may be considered unconventional to claim a player solely to prevent them from joining a contender, such decisions are within the realm of possibility in the competitive landscape of the NFL. Thus, Ertz faces the inherent risk associated with his decision, where a non-contending team may thwart his plans despite being no better than the Cardinals.
As Ertz navigates this phase of his career, the unfolding drama adds another layer to the NFL’s dynamic player movement landscape. The veteran tight end’s future destination remains uncertain, and his quest to join a contender might encounter unforeseen twists as teams evaluate the potential benefits and risks associated with claiming him off waivers.”