The first domino in the trio of tight ends looking to get paid this offseason has fallen.
The question now is how long that lasts -- and how Kittle's deal impacts what the Eagles are going to have to pay Zach Ertz.
It is unlikely that Ertz gets the $15 million annually that Kittle does. Kittle is three-years younger, which is huge when it comes to paying and comparing the two. Still, Ertz can make the argument he is more important to the Eagles' offense than Kittle is to the 49ers' offense.
Here is how the Ertz and Kittle stack up over the last two seasons:
As you can see, Ertz has more catches and touchdowns than Kittle. While he is targeted more, that really just speaks to how important Ertz has been to the offense, as opposed to diminishing his stats. He might not be able to get the $15 million that Kittle got, but he would be correct to ask for something very close -- and the floor for Ertz's deal is clear.
A good starting point for what Ertz should look for in a new deal with the Eagles is what they gave to receiver Alshon Jeffery in 2017, a four-year, $52 million deal. Ertz should demand more than the $13 million average salary that Jeffery got, as Ertz has clearly outplayed Jeffery since the two became teammates in 2017. Ertz has more catches, yards, touchdowns and has played in more games. He also has 113 more targets, making it clear that he is the team’s No. 1 receiver, not Jeffery. Considering the Eagles extended Jeffery’s deal, guaranteeing his 2020 salary, Ertz is (correctly) going to want more than Jeffery. That means any deal for Ertz is likely going to start with an average salary of $13 million.
As the new deal handed to Kittle shows, tight ends are now being paid like No. 1 wide receivers. Ertz has a slam-dunk, clear-cut case that he is the Eagles' No. 1 wide receiver and their most important skill position plaayer.
How Kittle's deal will impact the timeline on Ertz's contract remains to be seen. It doesn’t appear Ertz will be putting up a big fight to be paid prior to the start of the season. The Eagles are lucky he isn’t, as he would have every right to hold out and fight for a new deal now before risking his health during the 2020 season. It is possible Ertz and the Eagles waits to see what Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who is 30-years old, gets in a new deal. That could be a better indicator of what Ertz should be paid.
Soon, however, Ertz is going to need to be paid — and the longer the Eagles wait, the more it is going to cost.