The Eagles have traded Zach Ertz to the Cardinals in exchange for rookie cornerback Tay Gowan and a 2022 fifth-round draft pick. The deal is now official, per an announcement from both clubs. 
Ertz was once a focal point of the Birds’ offense, but he’s been relegated to a secondary role behind Dallas Goedert. With one season left on his five-year, $42.5MM deal, the Eagles have turned their surplus into draft capital.
Ertz, 31 in November, finished last year with just 36 catches for 335 yards and one touchdown in eleven games. But, before that, he made three straight Pro Bowls from 2017-19 and consistently performed as one of the league’s best tight ends. So far this year, the veteran has 18 catches for 189 yards and two scores in six games.
The Cardinals will be responsible for the rest of Ertz’s salary, approximately $5.5MM. Ideally, he’d like an extension, but that’ll probably wait until after the season. The Cardinals will have much more utility for Ertz than the Eagles did since they’ve lost Maxx Williams for the year with a knee injury. Ertz will likely serve as the Cardinals’ TE1 with support from Darrell Daniels and Demetrius Harris. Beyond those three, the Cards also have Ross Travis on the practice squad, though they released recently-acquired veteran Richard Rodgers from the p-squad in the wake of the Ertz deal.
After years of iffy tight end production, Arizona finally has a proven option in Ertz. He delivered 335 yards in a down year with five missed games; the Cardinals haven’t had a TE top 600 yards in a season since moving to Arizona in 1988.
He knew last night was his final game in Philly as an Eagle. Shame it all ended for him this way, he was great for quite a while then everything mysteriously fell apart when negotiations kicked up. Thanks to the Ertzes, good luck to you out in the desert.
Not eligible to play until week 7, no fantasy double-up.
If you’re starting Ertz in fantasy, you’ve already lost.
No choice with Gronk out. He delivered more points than Mike Evans this week but since I have Evans that’s what hurt more. lol
Why Would You Say Something So Controversial Yet So Brave?
So a 2021 sixth round player, and a 2022 5th round pick.
I’d love to hear from the couple folks who were adamant they’d hold out for a 1st or at least a 2nd & 3rd.
He’s a rental, who would think that?
One guy said he’d expect 2 1sts and a guy like Leonard or Pittman from the Colts for Wentz & Ertz.
Its possible it was all the same guy, but before the Eagles reported they were looking for a 3rd or 4th there was some craziness being thrown around.
Someone repeatedly called out the Cards as most likely destination/best fit. Think it was AK.
Yeah, I thought he was headed to Arizona. I thought he’d probably get a fifth. Williams’ injury made the midseason trade more pressing for them in the short term, and the Cards are the applying the Bucs/Rams strategy of being willing to pay for Pro Bowlers, so it made sense to me.
And only a partial season rental which was always going to reduce his value
He was a rental TE coming off a banged up season , I wanna know who in the world was saying they get that.
Thank you for providing some info on who Gowan is. Not sure why this wasn’t included in the article. It appears he has not seen any action yet, either.
I think I remember seeing Gowan in on a play or two in some of the Cards games this year, which also may have been special teams. He did not seem to be a key component or future piece, or anything more than depth.
It’s what happens when they tank his value out of spite in salary negotiations and ends up costing them in trade value.
“After years of iffy tight end production, the Eagles finally have a proven option in Ertz.”
Wait, did they trade him or didn’t they?
It is a mistype.
So could he play in 2 games this week ?
Not until Week 7
stinks, but good to get something of value in return. he wasnt really being used by the team.
Trade Sanders next
what dows tgat
*what does that accomplish?
Maybe get some future value for a talented RB that they don’t seem to want to use much? I don’t know. But only nine carries and three catches a game for Sanders so far this year. I think he only had one carry at halftime yesterday. If they’re not going to use him, why not trade him?
because the team.has a new coach who is still getting used to his players. i dont think he’s decided he doesnt want to use Sanders yet.
Still getting used to his players? He’s had a whole offseason and a training camp to do that. 6 games in, this dude looks he doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing.
Stack draft capital. Teams with playoff intentions will certainly pay a nice price for a player like Sanders. The Eagles aren’t going anywhere anytime soon and I don’t see them resigning him after his rookie deal. Too many other holes
he’s a first year HC with a young team. there will be growing pains.
And they thought they were so cute in giving Hurts all of 10 snaps in the preseason…10!!! He is horrible and Is not an NFL starter. The 2022 draft can’t get here soon enough.
Sounds like Gowan is a project. Other than OL the Eagles don’t have a great record lately that way.
I am so sad hearing this. As an avid Eagles fan, I loved seeing him develop since we drafted him. He’s my favorite active player, so I guess the Cards are my second team now.
The Cards are very exciting to watch, so you’re not ill off. I think they have a real shot to win it all this year.
Not often you see an Eagle evolve into a Cardinal. Bird is the word.
Fair trade for both sides. Cards replace Williams and have a reliable TE again
glad I was at the game last night to see his last touchdown in midnight green. and also thank you Zach Hertz for all the great years since 2013 and especially the 2017 super bowl season will miss you, but go get another ring in the desert!!
This man was an icon in Philly, and rightfully so, he earned it with all his hard work on ajd especially off the field with his charity work and work in the community.
If he was dwindling down and not really the same player due to nagging injuries, I can understand his lack of PT, and his lack of a role in the offense. HOWEVER, if this was a negotiation tactic, or because he spoke up about his contract, then that whole organization is trash and should be taken out and shown the door.
Everything this man did for this franchise and that city, they were lucky enough to even have such a great man. I guess we shall see the answer with the outcome in Arizona,
While While Air Raid offense doesn’t really feature TEs heavily or even all that much at all, I think KK knows how to utilize his offensive weapons when he gets them. With that said, I wish nothing but the best for Ertz and his family down in Arizona!!
He deserved better from Philly, that’s one thing I do know for sure. They could have easily handled this better, yet they seemingly aired their dirty laundry as part of a power play to save face with their new coach and their GM..Owner should have stepped in, and demanded more from those two..
Then again, Ertz is just one of a long line of Philly heroes to leave town on less than ideal terms.
With such iconic franchises as the Eagles, Phillies, and the 76ers you’d think at least one of them would be ran properly..Yet, repeatedly those teams have been in headlines lately ajd for all the WRONG reasons!!
I feel for their fan base, as they do get a bad reputation, but at least they’re passionate and diehards unlike most Braves and Falcons fans down here
I think Braves and Falcons fans are passionate but in Atlanta it’s not that easy to find snowballs to throw at Santa Claus.
Love that the Jets got a higher draft pick for Herndon than Ertz. This is hilarious
And to do so they had to throw in a 6th rounder while Philly also got a player which counts for more than just where the pick is.