Zach Ertz had a resurgent season with the Washington Commanders in 2024 and was one of the focal points of the team’s run to the playoffs, their first in decades. However, the veteran tight end is set to enter free agency, and while he’s clear in wanting to continue playing football, Ertz’s future in Washington is hanging in the balance.
But while the Commanders’ front office is making the calculations, Ertz is crystal clear about his return to Washington.
Returning to Washington Is a ‘No Brainer’ for Zach Ertz
Ertz 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.
The 34-year-old recently addressed his potential return to the Commanders in an interview with RG. Ertz made it clear that he would love to return and that if the opportunity presents itself, it would be a “no-brainer” decision for him.
“There are so many factors at play, but at the same time, I do love my time here,” said Ertz. “It was an opportunity for me to really fall back in love with the process and being able to be around people that truly love football, being at their best.
“That’s when I’m at my best, when I’m around people that truly want to do everything they can to be the best versions of themselves, and that’s what I truly enjoy,” Ertz continued to say.
“For me, if I have the opportunity to go back there — if it presents itself — would be a no-brainer.
Ertz is the No. 56-ranked free agent in PFSN’s Top 100 Free Agent Rankings. He also opened up about what he’s looking for in a suitor as he enters free agency.
“My mindset at this point is I’m not just going to play football just to say I’m playing football. There are so many other factors. For me, it’s just being around people that want to be the best versions of themselves, that want to win. For me, it’s not just about going to any situation, it’s about going to the right situation.”
Ertz was a significant contributor to the Philadelphia Eagles for many years before injuries ultimately caused him to be traded to the Arizona Cardinals. However, his excellent career was seemingly over after the Cardinals waived him in November 2023.
Though he caught on with the Detroit Lions’ practice squad for the remainder of that season, Ertz didn’t appear in a game and looked like he was done when Detroit didn’t show interest in bringing him back. Nevertheless, the 34-year-old emerged as a shockingly important part of the Commanders’ Cinderella season.
Ertz ranked second on the team in receptions (66), receiving yards (654), and receiving touchdowns (seven), trailing Pro Bowler Terry McLaurin in those categories. He also played 66% of the team’s snaps, his highest total in a season since 2021.
The Commanders were one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 NFL season, and their offense was the main reason for their success. Washington had the fifth-best offense in the NFL according to PFSN’s Offense+ metric, which graded them a B grade.
PFN’s offense rankings combine statistics such as yards per play, points per drive, turnover percentage, success rate against the run and pass, third-down conversion rate, red-zone efficiency, pressure percentage when not blitzing, and various expected points added (EPA) measures against both the run and pass.
These are then weighted accordingly to produce our rankings for each season. Each team is given a numerical score that we convert to a traditional letter grade.
Daniels finished as the ninth-best quarterback in the NFL in 2024, per PFSN’s QB+ metric. It was an uber-impressive showing for the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
His season was somewhat of a rollercoaster, but his QB+ grades indicate a relatively high level of consistency in the final metrics. He had just one game graded below a C- (D+ in Week 10 vs. Pittsburgh), with nine games graded between C- and C+ and five graded as a B- or above.
Daniels finished eighth in EPA/DB (0.15), ninth from a clean pocket (0.30 EPA/DB), and sixth when under pressure (-0.11). He had 31 total touchdowns during the regular season — 25 of which came through the air.
Given Ertz’s role in Washington’s offensive success and the leadership he provided the young team, the Commanders will likely prioritize re-signing the veteran tight end this offseason.
Ertz has made it clear that he wants to return to Washington rather than start over with a new organization in his 13th NFL season.
The Commanders probably need to groom a successor at tight end, but Ertz showed he still has enough juice to serve as a useful complementary weapon and veteran leader. Whether it’s 2024 second-round pick Ben Sinnott or another young tight end, perhaps Ertz can mentor his successor over the next year in addition to serving as Daniels’ security blanket.
