Zach Ertz was a significant contributor on the Philadelphia Eagles for many years, before injuries ultimately caused him to be traded to the Arizona Cardinals. Since then, Ertz has had his ups and downs, but he found a home and once again became a focal point on the Washington Commanders this season.
With the Commanders, he emerged as a respected veteran in the locker room and the team’s No. 2 option on offense. Ertz helped lead Washington to the NFC Championship Game, where he ran into his former team, the Eagles. After Philadelphia ended the Commanders’ season, Eagles legend Fletcher Cox and Ertz shared a special moment, proving that the tight end still has some fans in his old stomping grounds.
Brotherly Love: Fletcher Cox Comforts Zach Ertz After NFC Championship Loss
The 13-year veteran has finally looked like his former self with Washington this season. On a team with a multitude of mouths to feed, Ertz was able to develop synergy with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, finishing the regular season with 654 yards and seven touchdowns.
Ertz saved one of his best games of the season for the Conference Championship against his former team, catching 11 passes for 104 yards. He was the most stable hand for Daniels to turn to no matter the situation, and his performance in a “revenge game” did not go unnoticed.
Cox, his former teammate and an Eagles great, found Ertz after the game, and the two shared a moment. Ertz was clearly emotional, and his former teammate comforted him.
Eagles legend Fletcher Cox called over Commanders TE Zach Ertz after the season-ending loss: pic.twitter.com/FHAP3O7C73
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) January 26, 2025
From 2013 to 2021, the entirety of Ertz’s Eagles tenure, he was teammates with Cox. The two fought many battles together and even won a Super Bowl together in 2017.
The two shared a warm hug, and Ertz’s emotions were on full display. A clearly distraught Ertz couldn’t hold back the tears and had to take off to the locker room.
Coming into the league, Ertz was a highly touted prospect, going in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft — one round before Kansas City Chiefs legend Travis Kelce. He spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Eagles, consistently improving each year.
His best year came in 2018 when he tallied 1,163 receiving yards alongside eight touchdowns. However, after just two more seasons, a midseason trade sent Ertz to the Cardinals in exchange for some defensive help.
His time with Arizona was rather inconsistent, with injuries once again derailing his form. In 2023, he even had a stint with the Detroit Lions’ practice squad before being cut. Eventually, he found his way to Washington and quickly found a new home.
For a relatively young team heralded by a rookie, it was crucial that they add veteran leaders in the locker room, and Ertz was just that. After the game, Daniels spoke about the impact the vets had on the team.
“Year 1, everybody not really knowing each other, rookie — vets did a tremendous job of bringing us in and helping us out. And we all just meshed,” Daniels said.
A lot of that onus fell on the 34-year-old tight end, and he was able to surpass all expectations this season. Both on and off the field, he became integral to Washington like he once was to the Eagles.
