Zach Ertz has clocked in. The Eagles tight end reported to training camp on Tuesday, avoiding fines and further friction with team management. 
Ertz and the Eagles have been at odds throughout the offseason. However, he still wants a trade to take him out of Philadelphia, according recent word from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). Ertz, he says, hasn’t “forgotten or forgiven” the Birds for all the disagreements they’ve had. So, just because Ertz is in the building, that doesn’t mean that he’ll be on the roster come September.
The Eagles have gotten some bites, but no one has been willing to meet GM Howie Roseman’s asking price. He reportedly wants a third or fourth-round pick, but Ertz will turn 31 in November and he’s coming off of a down year. With one season left on his five-year, $42.5MM deal, it’s hard to say whether Roseman will get what he wants. Of course, Ertz’s issues with the Eagles have been extremely public, so teams are willing to wait things out until the price comes down.
Before the drama and the down year Ertz three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2017-19. For years, he consistently performed as one of the league’s better tight ends. Even if some suitors can’t afford his cap hit, there are plenty of teams that could use a player like him.
Mostly everyone on the Eagles is coming off a down year so I wouldn’t hold that against Ertz. He still has value at age 31 but the cap hit is on the high side. Howie may have to eat some of that to get a third rounder in exchange.
I only see him being dealt if a starter goes down on a contender.
Probably a good chance of that happening with the schedule now being expanded to 17 games.
Ertz has lost a step, thus he’s a backup being paid starter money at this point. Not sure why the Eagles don’t let someone else pay his game checks, particularly since their cap space is so limited.
I feel certain a deal will occur. As phillyballers mentioned he would be a good pickup for a contender. Eagles are moving into rebuild mode though so a younger, cheaper replacement would make more sense for them.