The Eagles Should Not Even Consider Trading Zach Ertz
2019 was an odd year for the Birds’ offense.
Quarterback Carson Wentz became the first player in NFL history to throw for over 4,000 passing yards without a single wide receiver on the roster with more than 500 receiving yards.
Philadelphia’s two tight ends led the way for the passing game in 2019. Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert were first and second in every statistical category: receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
When comparing Ertz and Goedert to the rest of the league’s tight ends in 2019, they were both in the top ten in receiving yards, touchdowns, and receptions.
Both Ertz and Goedert were used at a significant rate in the Eagles’ offense. Ertz played about 80% of the Birds’ offensive snaps in 2019 while Goedert was at about 66%.
Due to the rise of Dallas Goedert, fans and experts have posed the hypothetical of trading Ertz for a positional upgrade or assets such as draft picks and starting the younger tight end, Dallas Goedert.
Although the Eagles trading away Zach Ertz is unlikely, should they entertain the option?
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Over the past three seasons, Zach Ertz has produced 401 receptions, 2,903 receiving yards, and 22 touchdowns. The Eagles can’t afford to lose Zach Ertz and expect the surrounding players they have now to make up for such a loss in production.
Keeping together the best tight end tandem in the NFL should be a no-brainer. With a healthy receiving corps and help from the draft, the Eagles offense should be able to enter the top five in offensive ranking for the 2020 season.
There are reports that Zach Ertz has declined a contract extension from the Eagles during the 2019 season; however, the tight end is already locked up through the 2021 season, making this news less nerve-racking.
The 2020 season is yet another year surrounded by optimism for the Birds. While the compensation the Eagles could receive for Ertz may be attractive, the number one priority must be to surround as many weapons as possible around Carson Wentz.
The chemistry between Wentz and Ertz is unparalleled. Trading away his number one weapon isn’t in Wentz’s, or the team’s, best interest.
All statistics via ProFootballReference.com unless stated otherwise Featured Image: The Philadelphia Inquirer
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Categorized:Eagles