If former Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz decides to leave the Arizona Cardinals during his first shot at NFL free agency, the veteran playmaker should find plenty of suitors on the open market. He is PFN Lead NFL Analyst Dalton Miller’s fifth-ranked tight end and 58th overall ranked free agent. Here’s why the Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Chargers, and Denver Broncos make sense for Ertz if he leaves the desert.
Zach Ertz’s free agent overview
Ertz enters free agency for the first time in his NFL career after spending the final 11 games of 2021 on Arizona’s roster. While the Cardinals struggled towards the end of the season and in the playoffs, Ertz was reinvigorated after the Philadelphia Eagles traded him in October.
Arizona acquired Ertz for a 2022 fifth-round pick and rookie cornerback Tay Gowan, who only played two games for the Eagles. Ertz produced 56 catches for 574 yards and 3 touchdowns during his time with the Cardinals. Those numbers are similar to what he recorded over his final 17 games with the Eagles (54-524-3 receiving line).
Ertz, a 2013 second-round pick, has made $45.7 million during his nine-year career. At just 31, he has plenty of playing time left in his career and could get a long-term deal during his first foray into free agency, especially with several teams needing starting tight ends.
Ertz’s best landing spots
Ertz is at his best in a spread offense that takes advantage of his route running and reliable hands. He is a trusty receiver who can be a quarterback’s safety net across the middle. Spotrac puts Ertz’s market value at $7.6 million per year, which would place him just outside of the top 10 annual salaries at the position.
Ertz’s appeal goes beyond his experience and productivity, as he is one of the more durable players at the tight end position. He has missed just 11 games (including the playoffs) during his nine-year career.
Indianapolis Colts
Longtime Colts tight end Jack Doyle announced his retirement on Monday, March 7. The veteran playmaker was a key cog in Indianapolis’ offense for the entirety of Frank Reich’s tenure to this point. Now, the Colts will be looking for a replacement.
Ertz played for Reich in Philadelphia when the head coach served as the team’s offensive coordinator from 2016 to 2017. The pair won a Super Bowl together, as Ertz became the top passing weapon in the offense under Reich.
The Colts were interested in Ertz during last year’s offseason and trade deadline, but Indianapolis failed to land him in a deal. Now, Ertz is free to roam wherever he wants, and Indy’s offense clearly fits his skill set.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have a ton of cap space and a need for a top-tier tight end. With Justin Herbert blossoming into one of the best young players in the game, LA would be smart to get him a go-to TE target. Ertz is from California. A move to Los Angeles would thus allow him to be in a familiar spot with a dynamic quarterback.
The Chargers can afford to outbid most TE-needy teams. Ertz will almost certainly want to cash in one more time during his storied career. He just seems like a terrific fit for Herbert and the Chargers’ offense.
Denver Broncos
Following the Broncos’ blockbuster trade for QB Russell Wilson, Denver needs tight end help. The Broncos sent tight end Noah Fant to Seattle as part of a massive package to acquire Wilson from the Seahawks, leaving a void at the position. If Ertz wants to chase another ring, Denver seems like the place to be for the three-time Pro Bowl tight end.
In Denver, Ertz could join an onslaught of talented receivers like Courtland Sutton, KJ Hamler, Jerry Jeudy, and Tim Patrick. With all of the talent at wideout, Ertz should have a ton of opportunities to find space and make places for Wilson in the passing game.