In a bit of a surprising move, the Arizona Cardinals have released their former Pro Bowl tight end, Zach Ertz.
On the season with Arizona, Ertz had 27 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown in seven games played.
It wasn’t Adam Schefter who broke this news, but actually former Cardinals teammate J.J. Watt.
On X, formerly Twitter, Watt wrote, “Trying new things in retirement, so let’s steal @AdamSchefter’s job for a day…
TE Zach Ertz has requested & been granted his release from the Arizona Cardinals.
The 3-Time Pro Bowler plans to sign with a contender and make a run at his 2nd Super Bowl ring.
(This is easy, Adam)
Trying new things in retirement, so let’s steal @AdamSchefter job for a day…
TE Zach Ertz has requested & been granted his release from the Arizona Cardinals.
The 3-Time Pro Bowler plans to sign with a contender and make a run at his 2nd Super Bowl ring.
(This is easy Adam) pic.twitter.com/pK4qCcCfay
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) November 30, 2023
Ertz is far from his top-five abilities a few years ago, but he can still be a quality starter for a team in a pinch. He could also provide great depth come playoff time. Without further ado, let’s look at some landing spots for the savvy 33-year-old veteran.
1. Philadelphia Eagles Reunion
By far, the most obvious choice is a reunion in Philadelphia. Ertz began his career there in 2013 after being selected in the second round. He’d go on to have six straight seasons with at least 700 yards, a pretty good mark for a tight end. He even surpassed 1,000 yards in 2018, the same year the Eagles won the Super Bowl.
Fast forward to the 2023 Eagles and their starting tight end, Dallas Goedert is sidelined for the near future while he recovers from a forearm fracture. Current starter Jack Stoll has just four catches this year with 27 yards to show for it.

Acquiring Ertz would provide a competent starting tight end in a place he’s quite familiar with. Even if Goedert does return soon, he will provide great injury insurance.
2. Baltimore Ravens Need a Tight End
With their elite starter, Mark Andrews, set to miss the rest of the season, Baltimore could use an addition to their tight end room. Backup Isaiah Likely has shown flashes but is still only a 2nd-year player out of Coastal Carolina with limited playoff experience.
Ertz has plenty of that and enough juice left in the tank for one more deep playoff run. There’s only one tight end behind Likely, and that is the inexperienced Charlie Kolar. On the season, he has just one catch for 13 yards. With how involved the tight end position is in Baltimore’s offense, they desperately need more depth.
Adding Ertz could solidify their chances of making it out of the stacked AFC.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars Backup Tight End
While not an immediate need for the team, adding Ertz could bring great value to Jacksonville. He’d be reuniting with the coach he won a Super Bowl in 2018, Doug Pederson. If anyone knows how to use Ertz to the best of his abilities, it’s him.
The Jaguars do have a quality starter in Evan Engram, but the depth behind him is questionable. Backup Luke Farrell has shown improved receiving ability but is still learning how to be a starter. 2nd round rookie Brenton Strange is talented but is just a glorified blocker in his current stage of development.

Jacksonville has been using two tight-end packages more often in recent weeks, and Ertz could fit right into that. With the familiarity of Pederson’s offense, he could be a fantastic addition.