Philadelphia Eagles: Stop mock trading away Zach Ertz

Come on Philadelphia Eagles’ fans, leave Julie’s husband alone.

It seems like anytime a big name NFL player wants a trade, they get linked to the Philadelphia Eagles.

From Minkah Fitzpatrick, to Jalen Ramsey, Yannick Ngakoue, and now Jamal Adams (more on that here), it seems like any player with even an ounce of name recognition always captures the hearts of a very specific segment of the Eagles’ fanbase, even if there is virtually no chance of getting a deal done.

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Do you want to know what all these hypothetical trades have in common? They (almost) always feature Zach Ertz. Seriously, it’s like you can’t go on Twitter for a single day without someone suggesting the Eagles packaging Ertz and a second for Adams, or proposing a player for player swap with the Jaguars for whatever pass rusher is unhappy on any given day. It’s exhausting, redundant, and at this point inevitable.

But, like, why? Why are Eagles fans always trying to get rid of Zach Ertz?

Now believe you me, I know Ertz isn’t a perfect player; he’s horrible after the catch, not a great blocker, and far from dynamic, but since Carson Wentz took over as the Eagles’ quarterback in 2016, Ertz has also been their most reliable target- amassing an incredible 356 catches for 3,719 yards and 26 touchdowns over the last four seasons. Are those George Kittle and/or Travis Kelce numbers? No, but it is better than any receiver the Eagles have had over the same time frame, and really, it’s not even close.

I don’t know, maybe people are really high on soon to be third-year tight end Dallas Goedert? Maybe they know Ertz’s contract expires after the 2021 season and don’t foresee the team giving him an extension at the tender age of 31? Maybe some fans don’t like the cut of Ertz’s jib? Whatever the reason, I just don’t see how getting rid of one of the best players in the NFL at his position makes a team better, unless the team gets an equally good player back at a position of need without having to surrender too much compensation. You want to do Ertz and a second for Ramsey? Sure, I’d trade a low-value tight end for a high-value cornerback with a day two pick to sweeten the deal any day, but that becomes harder to do when the incoming player will all but certainly demand a big extension upon signing. Like it or not, that probably won’t happen.

If the Eagles do try to trade Ertz, for whatever reason, they probably will receive pennies on the dollar, as tight end is one of the least valued positions on an NFL team. Factor in Ertz’s age and cap hit, and the Eagles would be lucky to get a day two pick for his services, even if he’d significantly improve whatever offense he would be set to join. Mind you, that doesn’t mean Ertz is valueless, only that most of his value is sunk, and thus more valuable to the Eagles than any other team.

Next. Are Jamal Adams’ feelings for the Philadelphia Eagles mutual?. dark

Philadelphia Eagles fans, please stop trying to mock trade Zach Ertz. He’s not as valuable as you think, more valuable to the Eagles than any other team, and probably can’t land a superstar replacement without including heavy draft compensation to sweeten the deal. Just be happy the Eagles have one of the top-3 tight ends in football and enjoy whatever time he has left with the team moving forward- I’m sure you’ll complain when he leaves down the line.

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