Zach Ertz and the Washington Commanders have agreed to terms on a new deal. The veteran tight end served as a safety blanket for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in his first season in the NFL and now will be back for another season.
Ertz and the Commanders will look to take another step in 2025 after making it to the Divisional Round in Daniels’ rookie season.
Zach Ertz Returns to Bring Stability to an Improved Commanders Offense
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Ertz and the Commanders agreed to a one-year, $6.25 million deal worth up to $9 million with incentives.
Three-time Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz is re-signing with the #Commanders on a one-year, $6.25 million deal worth up to $9 million with incentives, per sources.
Ertz made a big impact in Washington and now is headed back on a deal negotiated by @SteveCaric of @WassermanNFL. pic.twitter.com/4rxFyHshr6
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 9, 2025
2024 was a bounce-back season for Ertz, as he registered 66 receptions for 654 yards and seven touchdowns in his first fully healthy season since 2021.
After the Commanders selected Ben Sinnott in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Kansas State, he was expected to be the team’s tight end of the future. While that still could be the case, that will have to wait at least one more season to truly come to fruition, as Ertz proved to be a valuable piece of Daniels’ arsenal.
After losing to the Eagles in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs, Zach Ertz reflected on the remarkable season the Commanders had and how much of a bond he and Daniels formed. “I wish I was 22 playing with him, had my whole career in front of me playing with him.”
TE Zach Ertz on the bond he developed with his Commanders teammates and QB Jayden Daniels:
“I wish I was 22 playing with him, had my whole career in front of me playing with them.” pic.twitter.com/JaN9tcjVk8
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) January 27, 2025
In that Divisional Round game, the 34-year-old tallied season highs in receptions, targets and receiving yards, catching 11 of 16 passes for 104 yards.
Ertz rejoins a Washington offense that features Terry McLaurin, Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, and newly acquired wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
Samuel had a down season in 2024, catching 51 passes for 670 yards and three touchdowns while also adding 136 yards and one touchdown on the ground. However, he battled pneumonia during the season, and it’s unsure how that affected his play on the field.
Samuel provides Washington with a versatile weapon that can beat opponents on the ground or through the air. Adding him to the offense and bringing back his safety blanket gives Daniels many different ways to beat a defense.
Washington ranked No. 6 in the NFL in PFSN’s Offense+ metric, with a score of 85.1 (B).
With cap space and the No. 29 pick in the NFL Draft, Washington will presumably continue to add talent to their roster in hopes of making an even deeper run in the postseason in 2025.