The Philadelphia Eagles traded veteran tight end Zach Ertz to the Arizona Cardinals on Friday in exchange for cornerback Tay Gowan and a 2022 fifth-round draft pick.
A three-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl LII champion, Ertz had been with the Eagles since 2013 and ranks second in franchise history with 579 receptions — 10 shy of record-holder Harold Carmichael.
Ertz, 30, caught four passes for 29 yards and a touchdown in a farewell performance Thursday night, a 28-22 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.
“He will always be a member of the Eagles family, not only because of what he accomplished on the field, but also because of the wonderful person, dedicated leader, and exemplary role model that he was for nine seasons in Philadelphia,” Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie said.
For everything you contributed on and off the field, thank you @ZERTZ_86. pic.twitter.com/fBJLnkCUQn
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 15, 2021
An emotional Ertz spoke Friday afternoon in Philadelphia.
“What a journey it’s been. What an amazing journey, what an amazing eight-plus years, nine years here,” Ertz said. “Obviously I’m extremely excited to be going to the Arizona Cardinals and play with a team that is rolling right now and be able to add my skill set to that team. Ecstatic about that situation.”
Still, he’s leaving a piece of himself behind.
“This is home. Philadelphia is home,” Ertz continued while choking up. “… I love this place. I’ve said it all along. It was a great opportunity to be here. I loved it here.”
Drafted in the second round out of Stanford in 2013, Ertz finishes his Eagles career with 6,267 yards and 38 touchdowns in 123 games (85 starts). He posted career highs in 2018 with 116 receptions for 1,163 yards and eight scores.
Ertz caught seven passes for 67 yards and a touchdown in Philadelphia’s 41-33 victory against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
Ertz reportedly was seeking a new contract from the Eagles but has not yet discussed his contract situation with the Cardinals, according to ESPN. He is owed about $5.5 million for the remainder of this season.
Although not eligible to play this Sunday when Arizona (5-0) visits the Cleveland Browns (3-2), Ertz is in line to take over for the injured Maxx Williams. Williams, 27, is out for the season with a knee injury suffered in last Sunday’s 17-10 victory against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Cardinals’ tight end depth chart also includes Darrell Daniels and Demetrius Harris.
Dallas Goedert, the Eagles’ other top tight end, missed Thursday night’s game on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Gowan, 23, is a rookie sixth-round pick out of UCF and had yet to play for the Cardinals this season.
–Field Level Media
