Where next for Zach Ertz as Eagles deadline looms?

Tuesday could finally be the end of the Zach Ertz era with the Philadelphia Eagles in what has felt like an awfully long, drawn-out goodbye.

After 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the Eagles could save $8.5 million in cap space by either trading or releasing the 30-year-old tight end — and the writing on the wall over the last few months has suggested that the organization will take one of those avenues.

Both Ertz and the Eagles have had their fair share of disagreements when it came to contract talks that initially created the divide. After what seemed like an emotional goodbye after a disappointing 2020 season, Ertz did not show up to the team’s first offseason program under new head coach Nick Sirianni. All signs are pointing to Dallas Goedert taking over as the Eagles’ new No. 1 tight end.

In the meantime, the Eagles searched high and low for a potential trade partner for Ertz, but could not find the right deal around the time of the 2021 NFL Draft in April.

Regardless, the three-time Pro Bowler will have his fair share of suitors regardless of what the Eagles do on Tuesday.

If he is to be released and enters the market, here are some of the top potential teams to keep an eye on for his services:

Indianapolis Colts

This would be the most logical fit when looking at all the factors. The Colts and Eagles have already discussed a potential deal earlier this offseason as a part of the Carson Wentz deal that sent the quarterback to Indianapolis. The two would reunite under head coach Frank Reich, who was the Eagles’ offensive coordinator during their Super Bowl season.

 

Los Angeles Chargers

Hunter Henry has not necessarily lived up to the No. 1 tight end billing that his contract suggested — so the Chargers might be looking for some more help at the position. Ertz would get to go home to California and would get plenty of looks in a pass-happy offense under the young phenom in Justin Herbert.

 

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals are missing a bonafide tight end to round out a fearsome passing attack that already includes the likes of DeAndre Hopkins, AJ Green, and Christian Kirk. Ertz would quickly become a solid security blanket for Kyler Murray as Arizona looks to stake their claim as a legitimate contender out west.

 

Kansas City Chiefs

Could you imagine the already dangerous Chiefs offense with a tight-end corps of Pro Bowler Travis Kelce and Ertz? Patrick Mahomes has a bevy of options, but what’s one more for a team that fell just short of repeating as Super Bowl champions last season.