Philadelphia Eagles exercise option for Zach Ertz, 3 thoughts

Some may believe this has been done too early. Others may love the idea, but the Philadelphia Eagles have decided to exercise Zach Ertz’s option for 2021.

Time heals and changes things. Less than two seasons ago, the rage in the Philadelphia Eagles fan base was no one was going to be able to stop this offense with two great tight ends opening things up for the wideouts Philly had on the outside. Their first selection in 2018’s NFL Draft, Dallas Goedert, who was taken in the second round (49th overall) snagged 33 receptions for 334 yards and made four trips to the end zone. He was a quick study under one of the game’s best, Zach Ertz.

The latter set the NFL record for receptions by a tight end with 116 that same season.

Heading into 2019, Ertz was quoted as saying, after the team reacquired DeSean Jackson and added Miles Sanders and JJ Arcega-Whiteside in the draft, that 2019’s version of the Eagles had a better roster than the team that won the Super Bowl. Well, we all know how that ended.

Fast forward to the present, and just in the past few weeks, there has been some talking about whether or not Philly should move on from the man widely seen as the third-best tight end in football behind Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers. This came after news that Ertz had declined to sign an extension (possibly because he wanted more money).

On March 27th, according to a report by the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Philly elected to exercise his option for the 2021 season. That might make a few inquiring minds wander. This kind of feels like a make-up date after blowing things on the anniversary. There, you’re all caught up. Here are three reactions to the news.

1. So, what happened exactly?

Ertz’s contract stated that Philly had a potential out after the 2020 season. Rather than wait to see how things went in the coming campaign, the team’s leadership decided to exercise that option now.

Ertz is scheduled to make $12.4 million in 2020 thanks to a restructure and $12.7 million in 2021.

2. Let’s talk about value.

It would appear that there’s no real reason to rush contract negotiations now, but if Philly’s goal is to sign a team-friendly deal, they’d want to work out an extension now or risk Ertz playing his way into a bigger deal later.

Then again, you could also argue that waiting means Philly can get him at a discount if he begins to decline.

3. Wait. Isn’t this how they got stuck with Alshon Jeffery?

From a team, fan, and media standpoint, the theory might be that everyone would rather Philly take their time and see how things play out over the next two seasons rather than rush into a long-term deal and do so too early.

After all, most are still scarred by Howie Roseman’s decision to guarantee the 2020 salaries of both DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery, two deals that seem to be holding the team hostage. Both of their situations are different, but the idea is the same. No one wants the danger of getting stuck in a deal with someone who isn’t living up to it.

Still, even with that being said, the argument can be made that picking an option now that doesn’t even need to be exercised until the end of the coming season is also a bad idea. Did the Eagles jump the gun on this one, or was this the right move? We’ll have to wait and see what happens.

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