Philadelphia Eagles: 3 Possible trade partners with Zach Ertz

Zach Ertz has been given permission to seek a new team, and the Philadelphia Eagles should consider a variety of trade partners.

The Philadelphia Eagles confirmed last week that Zach Ertz and his agent have been given permission to seek a new team. The Eagles are in rebuild mode through this offseason after the firing of Doug Pederson.

The three-time Pro Bowl tight end has had a stellar career thus far with the Eagles, playing a key role in the Super Bowl-winning season in 2017 and averaging double-digit yards per reception in every season with the Eagles apart from 2020. He owns the record for the most receptions in a season by a tight end in NFL history with 116.

With the weeks counting down to the start of preseason camps, Ertz’s chances for a change of scenery are approaching crunch time and he is facing into a year dissatisfied with a team that does not want him.

Coming off a career-worst season in yards and receptions, Ertz should prove good value for potential trade partners with plenty of upside potential, especially as Philadelphia could recoup some capital in the 2021 NFL Draft for the rebuild. Bearing this in mind, the following destinations could mutually suit Ertz and the Eagles.

Potential trade partners for the Philadelphia Eagles to deal Zach Ertz

3. Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals should be looking to improve their offensive options for sophomore quarterback Joe Burrow. The record-setting LSU graduate suffered an unfortunate injury in Week 11 against Washington last season and the Bengals unravelled.

Protecting Burrow with good offensive line additions should be their priority but they need to have as many weapons as they can afford to improve their chances in the AFC North.

Currently, the Bengals enter the season with either Drew Sample or C.J. Uzomah as their likely starter at tight end. Uzomah suffered a serious Achilles injury last season and it is difficult to know what levels of production will be available from him for the coming year if he returns. Sample, a 2019 second-round pick, has not impressed so far and the Bengals front office might consider him expendable.

Ertz is a proven commodity and the fact he had a disappointing 2020 season by his standards should lower the Eagles’ asking price. If the Bengals can make this deal happen, they would be wise to upgrade the position.

2. Los Angeles Chargers

With Hunter Henry having left for the greener pastures of the Patriots, the Chargers have a need for tight end depth and should look to replace his production. The Chargers must have been unwilling to match the $12 million salary Henry received from New England.

Having recently signed Jared Cook to a manageable $6 million one-year deal, the Chargers should look to bolster their offensive options further with another ball-playing tight end.

Justin Herbert is a bonafide star and LA’s front office should be trying to surround him with as much talent as possible. Young quarterbacks having multiple players they can depend on to win one-on-one matchups gives added security to their game.

This seems to be a trade that the Chargers can make happen. It has been rumored that the Eagles want a third or fourth-round pick for Ertz. With two third-round picks this year, the Chargers may well try their luck.

1. Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are in a good place going into the 2021 season and they will want to bolster their roster further before the draft in April. They have tons of cap room and will be looking to strengthen the team as much as possible around new quarterback Carson Wentz.

The front office will want to have as few excuses as possible for any failure to perform by Wentz; ensuring he is surrounded by offensive options will place the emphasis firmly on the quarterback’s shoulders.

Wentz and Ertz clearly have a good relationship in an offence. In their best year together, Ertz averaged over 10 yards per reception and totaled over 900 receiving yards (116 receptions, 1,163 yards and 66 first downs in 2018).

Colts general manager Chris Ballard certainly won’t overpay for a good player, however. In the Wentz trade, the Eagles received a 2021 third-round pick and a conditional 2022 second-round pick, which might become a first-rounder if Wentz reaches certain targets with his new team. The two teams have already proven this offseason that they can do business. It would suit both parties to do so again.