Philadelphia Eagles 2020 training camp profile: TE Zach Ertz

Here’s a hunch. Zach Ertz is going to make the Philadelphia Eagles roster.

It’s been seven seasons, he’s entering his eighth, and even though he still has years left to play, we can all state, without a shadow of a doubt, that Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz is one of those things that Chip Kelly actually got right. Once upon a time, he was one of those guys with “potential” that saved his best games for the New York Giants.

Now, he’s one of the game’s best at his position. He’s making a case for why he should get Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration, and he could be remembered as one of the Eagles’ best receiving threats in team history by the time he’s done playing.

Oh, you have doubts about that one? Numbers can skew things sometimes, but in Ertz’s case, they don’t lie.

Here’s a quick look at some of what Zach Ertz has done in a Philadelphia Eagles jersey and a look at what to expect in 2020.

Seven years with “86” in an Eagles jersey are in the books and here’s what we have. 113 career games with 76 starts (including the playoffs) have led to 558 receptions for 6,103 yards, and 37 trips to the end zone, none more memorable than when we watched him take one from Nick Foles on a slant pattern and dive into the end zone. Ertz always brings it. So much so that recent comments about placing him in some sort of trade package have demonstrated that fans appreciate his gift but they’re also spoiled by it in some ways.

It wouldn’t be Philly if there was a little controversy about whether or not he should be run out of town, but regardless of what side you’re on with the “trade Ertz” sentiment, here’s something that we can all probably agree on. In some ways, he’s taken for granted. Still, when 2022 rolls around, Philly will be forced to make decisions about him and Dallas Goedert. It’s doubtful that both will be given high-dollar and long-term deals. We don’t need to worry about that right now. Right now, let’s enjoy the fact that the Eagles have two of the game’s ten best tight ends and that’s going to cause opponents problems. The mismatches will be everywhere.

Expect another monster year for Ertz with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020.

The dawn of the 2020 regular season brings good news. By now, Ertz has surely completely healed from the rib injury and lacerated kidney he suffered versus the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16 of 2019’s campaign. For “86” the goal is making this Eagles offense hum, and with Dallas Goedert in the fold again, the favorite to wind up in Philly’s trio of tight ends is Joshua Perkins.

That’s if Philly decides to keep three tight ends. If you’ll remember, last year, they began the regular season with two on the roster. Either way, 2020’s Eagles camp, at least at the tight end spot seems like it features a lot of window dressing. Five are on the roster. Three seem to be competing for one spot.

Ertz’s job is secure, as it Goedert’s, but with so many weapons on this Eagles roster, don’t expect Ertz to get anywhere near the NFL-record for a tight end 116 catch total he had in 2018. Last year, he missed the final game of the season. This year, he’ll reach the 16-game total again. He should pull in around just under 90 snags again. That will earn him about 900 yards receiving. We’re calling it now. Make it a fourth-straight Pro Bowl nod. Big things are coming for “86” in 2020.