SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 22: Zach Ertz #86 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 22, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals released veteran tight end Zach Ertz on Thursday. The 33-year-old reportedly requested to be released so that he could sign with a championship contender.
In an odd wrinkle, retired defensive star J.J. Watt broke the news about Ertz on social media, joking that he was trying new things in retirement. Watt also reported Ertz’s intentions to sign elsewhere.
“TE Zach Ertz has requested & been granted his release from the Arizona Cardinals,” Watt said on X. “The 3-Time Pro Bowler plans to sign with a contender and make a run at his 2nd Super Bowl ring.”
Ertz was a longtime member of the Philadelphia Eagles and won a Super Bowl with the team in 2018. He was traded to the Cardinals in 2021 and continued to prove moderately productive. His 2022 season ended early due to a knee injury and he has missed significant time in 2023 as well after injuring his quadriceps.
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Though Ertz would not likely be a starting tight end for any team making a Super Bowl run this year, he could still have something to offer at full health. It may not be a coincidence that Philadelphia, his old team, recently lost reliable starter Dallas Goedert to injury, though it isn’t the only potential destination for the three-time Pro-Bowler.
Though the Cardinals have not been as bad as some speculated before the season, the team has been mediocre nonetheless and will almost certainly miss the postseason. This, in addition to the rise of young Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, seems to be a factor in Ertz’s departure.
The Eagles are not the only top team to lose a tight end in recent weeks, as the Ravens also lost Mark Andrews several weeks ago on Thursday Night Football against the Bengals. The team is in contention for the top seed in the AFC and is considered a key contender in a wide-open playoff race.
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