The thought invaded Zach Ertz’s thoughts in late 2023 when he was out of soccer and a 12 months faraway from knee surgical procedure. He wasn’t able to retire, however he was nervous about one thing.
“Are you continue to the identical participant?” He requested himself.
Ertz has not solely confirmed himself, however is now one step away from enjoying for an additional championship.
The veteran tight finish returns to Philadelphia this weekend to face the Eagles within the NFC title recreation (Noon ET on Fox and the Fox Sports app) as a priceless member of the Washington Commanders’ top-ranked offense. Either Ertz or the group he spent his first 8 1/2 NFL seasons with goes to the Super Bowl.
“When the whistle blows, it is not going to be concerning the 9 years I had there; it may be about attempting to make as many performs as I can for this group,” Ertz mentioned this week. “But I’m not going on the market with a chip on my shoulder or attempting to show to folks X, Y or Z. I’m simply attempting to go on the market and be the very best model of myself.”
Ertz, 34, has been model of himself in latest months, reinvigorating his love of soccer whereas enjoying for coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, whom he knew from his time with Arizona. Oh, and alongside the rookie quarterback additionally Jayden Daniels.
“Obviously, enjoying with a quarterback like Jayden helped loads,” Ertz mentioned.
Daniels solely focused the No. 1 huge receiver. 1 Terry McLaurin greater than Ertz this season, finishing 66 passes for 654 yards and 7 touchdowns. The two linked seven occasions for 51 yards and a rating within the first two video games of the playoffs.
“Obviously, a good finish may very well be a quarterback’s greatest good friend,” Daniels mentioned. “He’s seen quite a lot of soccer on this league, so (it was good) simply to have the ability to lean on him in sure conditions and decide his mind.”
The identical mind was nervous about what was to return after Ertz tore a number of ligaments in his proper knee throughout a recreation in 2022. Following a commerce the earlier season from Philadelphia, the harm minimize quick his first full season with the Cardinals when Kingsbury was teaching them.
It seems it was Ertz’s solely full season within the desert. Kingsbury had been fired from the earlier offseason, and the brand new regime launched Ertz in November 2023. Despite some discuss {that a} contender was thinking about an skilled participant with a successful resume, a contract didn’t materialize.
“I did not actually know what the longer term held,” Ertz mentioned. “I did not know if I used to be executed after not selecting for a very long time final 12 months. And I had the chance to play, nevertheless it wasn’t the best alternative.”
The proper alternative got here in March after months of working with longtime coach Shannon Turley, and new Commanders normal supervisor Adam Peters employed Quinn and so they introduced in Kingsbury to run the offense. The relaxation was a profession renaissance.
“It’s actually been a possibility for me to fall in love with the sport once more, I’d say, and actually benefit from the course of once more and being round individuals who know learn how to use me and permit me to be at my greatest,” Ertz mentioned. “It exceeded all my expectations.”
(Read extra: Who are the highest 10 gamers within the Area Commanders NFC Championship Game?)
Washington exceeded expectations by going 12-5 in the course of the common season and heads to Tampa Bay and Detroit to play for a convention championship for the primary time in 33 years. Ertz is certainly one of solely 5 gamers on the roster who was alive for the then-running franchise’s Super Bowl run.
A number of grey hairs did not go unnoticed by teammates, Glad Ertz signed on for an additional run.
“He has that veteran expertise in all of the high-level conditions, and he is executed a terrific job, I believe coming in and displaying the younger guys the ropes and the way issues are executed and learn how to be a real skilled,” fourth-year tight finish Fine John Bates mentioned. “He (has been) a dependable goal for us within the passing recreation and has stepped into each scenario the place we’d like him and made massive performs.”
Ertz, a three-time Pro Bowl choice throughout his time with the Eagles, together with the 2017 season when he helped them win their first Super Bowl, is aware of he isn’t enjoying 90 % of the snaps like he did in his first few. But success as of late is much less about quantity and extra about reliability, and Ertz has been one thing of a security valve for Daniels.
“I had recognized the crimson zone and third downs and two-minute (drills) could be an element,” Quinn mentioned. “And he bought via these and saved going.”
Ertz had simply 18 catches in six video games for Philadelphia in 2021, Nick Sirianni’s first coach, earlier than being traded to Arizona. The two phrases exchanged after the Commanders beat the Eagles on Dec. 22 within the groups’ second assembly this season earlier than clearing the air.
“Zach and I are good,” Sirianni mentioned. “We talked after that evening, I had snicker. I used to be very impressed with all of the performs he made. Not that I’m shocked in any respect… He’s enjoying actually good soccer. He’s been a terrific massive Target for this group at third place and fourth and doing all of the issues that I keep in mind him having the ability to do at a really excessive stage.”
While Daniels was nonetheless at Arizona State earlier than transferring to LSU, the place he gained the Heisman Trophy final season, Ertz spent a while with QB Jalen Hurts in Philly, the place they bonded within the weight room.
“He’s a tough employee (with) his work ethic and on a regular basis he put into taking good care of his physique,” Ertz mentioned. “He’s had a really lengthy and nice profession. He’s nonetheless making an affect enjoying massive time ball.”
Ertz acquired a heat ovation in November for his first recreation at Lincoln Financial Field and understands it will not be the identical “as a result of they bought loads on the road, too.” He and Wife Julie’s Ertz Family nonetheless operate within the metropolis he nonetheless loves — and he is glad he made the emotional return within the fall earlier than the depth of the playoffs took over.
“I perceive the setting it may be,” Ertz mentioned. “Everybody is aware of how I really feel about that constructing, the folks in that constructing, the folks in that neighborhood.”
Those within the Burgundy and Washington Gold crowd will applaud you, as Ertz has since regained his rhythm.
“I simply needed the chance to return right here and present that I’m nonetheless the identical man,” he mentioned. “It was nice to have the ability to go on the market and play for this group.”
Reporting by the Associated Press.
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