Zach Ertz would strengthen Jaguars’ tight end room

Free agency is around the corner and the Jacksonville Jaguars will need to decide how they will spend their surplus of cap space. If they want to address the tight end position, Zach Ertz could be one of their top options due to having previously played for head coach Doug Pederson.

Sayre Bedinger of FanSided recently predicted one free-agent signing for all 32 NFL teams and thinks Ertz will land in Jacksonville.  Bedinger points out that Pederson has an affinity for the tight end position in his offensive and believes that joining his former head coach could play a role in potentially signing with the Jaguars.

"In Doug Pederson’s offense, Ertz became one of the most productive pass-catching tight ends in the entire NFL. I’m sure the Cardinals, who traded for Ertz last season, would probably love to have Ertz back if they can, but the Jaguars might throw a bunch of money at the veteran to come in and help Trevor Lawrence develop. Ertz already has a ring, so his priorities in free agency will be interesting to monitor. Is he going to ring chase or is he going to go after the biggest contract? The possibility of joining Pederson in Jacksonville could be very appealing to him."

A second-round selection in the 2013 draft, Ertz spent his NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles until 2021, when he was traded midseason to the Arizona Cardinals. Right off the bat, he showed he still had plenty of gas left in the tank, starting 11 games for the Cards and hauled in 56 receptions for 574 yards with three touchdowns. Back in 2018, he broke the single-season reception record for tight ends with 116.

The Jaguars would check off a box by signing Zach Ertz in free agency.

Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke met with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine and said that the tight end position is “a focal point, it always is” and added that it will a position they will “certainly look to address”. While drafting a tight end remains a possibility, Ertz could come to Jacksonville and help right away.

As recently as 2019, Ertz was seen as one of the top tight ends in the league but the emergence of teammate Dallas Goedert and Carson Wentz’s inconsistency affected his production in 2020. At 31, the three-time Pro Bowl selection is still an effective player. Last season, he averaged 10.3 yards per reception, which is close to his career average of 10.8.

With Dan Arnold coming off an MCL injury and James O’Shaughnessy slated to become a free agent, it would make sense for the Jaguars’ to sign Ertz. Pro Football Focus expects him to sign a two-year contract worth $20 million with $12.5 guaranteed this offseason. All things considered, that seems like a reasonable price for a player that would instantly bolster an offense in need of playmakers.

Dalton Schultz and Micke Gesicki will arguably be the top tight ends in free agency but Zach Ertz’s familiarity with Doug Pederson might make him a more appealing option.