Philadelphia Eagles: Zach Ertz’s future round table discussion

Is Zach Ertz still in the Philadelphia Eagles’ future?

On Thursday, September 10th, news broke that the Philadelphia Eagles had broken off contract extension talks with three-time Pro Bowler Zach Ertz, leaving the 29-year-old tight end feeling frustrating that his desire to remain in midnight green may not be mutual.

Now on paper, this is a horrible look in the leadup to a deceptively tricky Week 1 bout against Ron Rivera’s Washington Football team. After finally caving to Jason Peters‘ desire for a pay bump to kick back outside to tackle, restructuring Lane Johnson‘s deal to get the deal done, the Eagles’ contract situation is once again under the national spotlight, and believe you me; it isn’t good.

Currently straddled with a negative $64.7 million cap hit in 2021 with only 41 players under contract per Over The Cap, the Eagles are going to have to make some seriously painful changes to the remnants of their championship roster and say goodbye to come familiar faces.

More from Section 215

• 4 Eagles on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots
• Best Pennsylvania Sportsbook Promos: Win $650 GUARANTEED Bonus PLUS $100 off NFL Sunday Ticket
• 3 Punters the Eagles Must Target to Replace Arryn Siposs
• Cowboys Trey Lance Trade Proves How Screwed They Are With Dak Prescott
• Devon Allen Took Britain Covey’s Job on Eagles

Could Ertz be one of them?

With two years left on a five-year, $42.5 million deal, the Eagles could theoretically do nothing and keep Ertz on the roster through the 2021 season for nothing more than his $12.4 million cap number but then again, with Dallas Goedert four years younger, maybe moving on from the fifth most-expensive player on the books next season is just the cost of keeping a team viable long-term.

But what does the staff of Section 215 have to say on the matter? Well, read on for a little round table of sorts breaking down all of your pressing Zach Ertz questions from a few different perspectives.

Question 1: How much would you feel comfortable paying Zach Ertz per season?

Sam Wagman: I think he’s worth $13-14 million a year, so let’s just say $14 million. He’s one of the best route-running tight ends in the NFL and has elite hands.

Scotty Pierre: Ertz is a Top-3 tight end and based on the contracts paid out to George Kittle and Travis Kelce, he deserves right around that $14 million mark. He’s the Eagles’ WR1, so I’d give him WR1 money in a perfect world.

Sam Wagman: WR1 money is like $20 million per season now so we’re really talking WR2 money.

Christopher Blaylock: Ertz should get $13-14 million, just below what Kittle and Kelce got. I agree that he deserves WR2 money.

Scotty Pierre: Ertz is without a doubt the Eagles’ best receiving option, so in a perfect world, I’d give him what he wants.

Sam Wagman: 100%

David Esser: Ertz is worth about the same as Kettle and Kelce were paid, that’s in the $14-15 million range. If the Eagles won’t pay that price, another tight end-needy team will gladly step in and pay it.

Scotty Pierre: I’d be really sad if Ertz gets traded.

Sam Wagman: I think we all would.

Question 2: Where does Dallas Goedert factor into Zach Ertz’s future? Should the Philadelphia Eagles keep both, or just one?

Sam Wagman: The Eagles should keep both for as long as they can. Maybe tag Goedert when his contract expires after the 2021 season if they can’t agree to a long-term deal but he can’t fetch the Eagles the type of return they’d get from Ertz right now.

Scotty Pierre: It’s hard to pick who is more valuable between the two when factoring the future into the equation. Ultimately, Goedert will be under the microscope this season to see if he’s ready to take the keys from Ertz down the line.

Christopher Blaylock: I think Goedert factors in a decent amount when deciding to keep one or both. They’re clearly the best tight end duo in the league and rolling with that for as long as they can should be the way to go. Moving Ertz would be risky since no one really knows how Goedert will fare as a full-time TE1.

David Esser: Dallas Goedert is the wild card in this whole situation. As much as the Eagles love to run 12-personnel, the idea of paying two tight ends big money is pretty insane. Goedert’s 2020 season will definitely play a role into Ertz’s contract situation.

Question 3: Does Ertz have a right to be upset and frustrated?

Sam Wagman: Ertz definitely has the right to be offended. The Eagles offered him less than Austin Hooper is getting. He just wants what he’s earned and a lot of this is probably Howie Roseman trying to maneuver around the Eagles’ impending cap issues.

Scotty Pierre: Ertz definitely has the right to be frustrated. The Eagles are in a tough spot and I have a feeling Ertz wishes he took that contract extension when he was offered it in 2019.

Christopher Blaylock: He absolutely has the right to be frustrated. Yes, the Eagles are in a cap situation after this year but it’s not Ertz’s job to manage the cap. His job is to make as much money as he can while he is in his prime.

David Esser:  Ertz has every right to be annoyed, especially considering that the team just made space to give Jason Peters a pay raise. Ertz has done everything possible to warrant a monster payday.

Question 4: Does Ertz ultimately get traded, extended or allowed to hit the open market?

Sam Wagman: I very much hope to see a deal get done, but the Eagles really seem to have dug in their heels. They didn’t make him a captain and look to be pretty far apart on a contract number. Right now, it, unfortunately, looks like Ertz is going to get dealt and if that happens, it’ll probably be this year where he has more value.

Scotty Pierre: The writing is on the wall Eagles fans. Unless Godert is a total disappointment this season, Ertz will be dealt by next offseason.

Christopher Blaylock: At the moment, it doesn’t look good for the Eagles and Ertz in the future but I think that chances are they can get a deal done. The Eagles need to keep Carson Wentz’s top weapon on the team for as long as possible. He’s just such a valuable weapon that they shouldn’t take for granted.

David Esser: Based on what I’ve heard around the situation, a trade seems likely. It’s a painful reality, but Goedert doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon and the Eagles truly are in money troubles. I don’t necessarily agree with this decision (I think they need to pay Ertz) but it sounds like a business decision is being made soon.

Final thoughts.

Well, there you go, the official thoughts of the Section 215 staff on Zach Ertz’s situation. In summation, it would appear everyone is rightfully torn on whether the Eagles will trade or retain Ertz, believe that a two-tight end can work over the next few seasons, and ultimately feel bad for a homegrown talent who wants nothing more than to finish out his career where it all began.

But what do you think? Do you think the Philadelphia Eagles should keep Ertz around for the long haul or trade him while he’s at his most valuable for a better fitting piece and build around Dallas Goedert? Let us know in the comments section below and please feel free to give everyone a follow on Twitter for more top-notch Philadelphia sports content.