Eagles Open to Zach Ertz Return as Veteran TE Eyes Final NFL Season

Ertz wants to end his career with the Eagles, but the team's crowded tight end room may complicate a potential reunion.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:20pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting an abstracted football field and players, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of color representing the crowded tight end competition in Philadelphia.The complex web of tight end options in Philadelphia leaves little room for a sentimental Zach Ertz reunion, despite his storied career with the Eagles.Philadelphia Today

Veteran tight end Zach Ertz, who spent his first nine NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, has expressed a desire to return to the team and finish his career where it started. The Eagles have not ruled out the possibility of bringing back Ertz, who is currently rehabbing a torn ACL and LCL. However, the team has already made several offseason additions to their tight end group, including the re-signing of Dallas Goedert and the additions of Grant Calcaterra and Johnny Mundt, creating a crowded position room that may make it difficult for Ertz to find significant playing time.

Why it matters

Ertz is a franchise legend for the Eagles, having made the game-winning touchdown catch in Super Bowl LII. His potential return would be a sentimental move, but the team must weigh the benefits of his veteran leadership and experience against the need to provide opportunities for younger tight ends in the crowded position group.

The details

Ertz, who is 35 years old, is working his way back from a serious knee injury suffered last December. He has expressed a desire to play one more season and would love for that to be with the Eagles, the team that drafted him in 2013. The Eagles have indicated they are open to the possibility of bringing back players they have had success with in the past, such as Brandon Graham. However, the tight end position is already crowded, with Goedert firmly entrenched as the starter and the team adding Calcaterra and Mundt in the offseason to improve the blocking at the position. Ertz would likely have to beat out Calcaterra for a roster spot and prove he is healthy enough to contribute over the course of a full 17-game season.

  • Ertz suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee in December 2025.
  • The Eagles re-signed Dallas Goedert and added Grant Calcaterra and Johnny Mundt to their tight end group this offseason.

The players

Zach Ertz

A 35-year-old tight end who spent the first nine seasons of his NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was a three-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl. Ertz is currently a free agent as he rehabs from a serious knee injury.

Dallas Goedert

The starting tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles, who the team drafted in the second round in 2018 as Ertz's eventual replacement.

Grant Calcaterra

A tight end signed by the Eagles this offseason to compete for a roster spot and provide depth at the position.

Johnny Mundt

A tight end signed by the Eagles this offseason to improve the blocking at the position.

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What they’re saying

“I would love to end my career in Philadelphia. That's where it all started.”

— Zach Ertz

What’s next

The Eagles will evaluate Ertz's health and fit within their tight end depth chart as they determine whether to bring the veteran back for one final season.

The takeaway

Ertz's potential return to the Eagles would be a sentimental move, but the team must carefully weigh the benefits of his veteran leadership and experience against the need to provide opportunities for younger tight ends in a crowded position group.