The good times are rolling in Philly, as the Philadelphia Eagles have brought home a team legend in Zach Ertz, in hopes of helping the team out.
Ertz is back at the right time, after Dallas Goedert is reportedly out for a few weeks with a sprained MCL. While Ertz will start on the practice squad, he is expected to be elevated to the 53-man roster and play in the team's Week 3 showdown against the Chicago Bears.
Over the next few weeks, Ertz will be joining Johnny Mundt and E.J. Jenkins until Goedert returns. When all is said and done, what are realistic expectations for the impact Ertz will actually have on this Eagles team?
Zach Ertz's realistic start to Eagles return while Dallas Goedert is out
In Week 3 against the Bears, it's realistic to expect that Ertz won't play a crazy amount of snaps. The good news is that he has an extra day, since it's on a Monday, to learn as much of the playbook as possible. Ertz could see 20-30 offensive snaps and might grab two to three receptions, since Jalen Hurts loves his tight ends, so that would be considered a success.
After that, depending on how Goedert is feeling, Ertz will start to see himself involved in the offense. Starting him would be realistic, as he is the team's top receiving tight end. Mundt will still play his role as the blocking tight end, while Ertz and Hurts focus on rebuilding their chemistry together.
During this three- to four-game stretch overall, Ertz averaging two to three receptions a game would work, if not more. He will be involved in the offense, as Hurts needs a security blanket at tight end when receivers don't get open downfield.
What will Zach Ertz's role be with the Eagles once Dallas Goedert is back?
Once Goedert is back, though, the Eagles will be in an interesting spot. This might be around the time Eli Stowers returns for Philly as well, so they will have five tight ends on the active roster.
Unfortunately for Jenkins, he'll likely get cut and re-signed to the practice squad. As for Stowers, he will most likely be inactive for the rest of the season and used in 2026 as a redshirt year unless injuries change that.
Ertz probably won't get as much playing time, but could rotate in the game with Goedert. Mundt will get reps in blocking situations, so if the Eagles run 12 personnel in a passing situation, Ertz and Goedert could be on the field at the same time, like the good old days.
This is where Ertz's targets and stats overall will take a significant dip, but it's expected. Goedert is the third option in this passing game, so Hurts needs him on the field as often as possible.
Overall season view: Will Zach Ertz break Harold Carmichael's franchise record for receptions?
To answer the burning question about Ertz breaking the Eagles franchise record for career receptions: yes, he should. In fact, he might even do it before Goedert returns, since he should get more targets and catches then.
This is more than likely the final season of Ertz's career, since the Eagles seemed to be the only team interested in him after his ACL injury with the Washington Commanders last year. He'll put up as many numbers as he can and try to win another Super Bowl before running off into the sunset.
Read more: Caleb Williams' injury update changes nothing about Eagles' strategy in Week 3
If everything goes according to plan, Ertz is looking at roughly 20 receptions for 276 yards and two touchdowns on the season. It may not be the crazy numbers Eagles fans want to see, but it would still be good production for a backup tight end in 15 games, so it would be a good season for him.
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