Eagles Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz is frustrated with his contract situation and made that clear on Thursday afternoon, three days before his team opens the 2020 season at Lincoln Financial Field against the Washington Football Team.
"I think you guys know me over the years," Ertz told the media. "I'm kind of an emotional guy when it comes to football. I kind of play with my heart as much as I can. Obviously it's been frustrating at times, it's been difficult. I said all along I want to be here for the long run. I don't for sure know if that feeling is mutual but I know I'm going play this year like it is my last year, and I'm gonna leave everything I possibly have in the tank for this team and the city. It's what this city deserves, nothing less. So I'm going into this year that I'm gonna leave it all out there, whatever happens happens. I'll let the details be with my agent and Howie. But I'm gonna do everything I can to give the city what it deserves and that's everything I possibly have even if it means playing with that lacerated kidney whatever it takes to win football games and do whatever I can to kind of leave a mark on this team and the city.
"Everyone's got their side of the story kind of like you said," Ertz continued. "I don't get into the exact details but I don't think it should be that hard to get a deal done right now but at the same time another season is starting. I can't really focus on that. During training camp it kinda got the best of me a day or two and I really just had to talk to a couple people and kind of reset my mind, leaned into my faith that I can't really control this situation and I'm gonna trust in the Lord understanding whether it's gonna be Philly, hopefully, I want to be here, or wherever it is, but at the same time, I can't control that. I'm gonna do whatever I can to help the team, and I cannot be more excited going into this year, I've never felt better going into a football season."
On September 3rd, Ian Rapoport reported contract negotiations were halted between Ertz and the Eagles.
The Eagles reportedly offered Ertz less money over the next four seasons annually than the deal that Austin Hooper signed with the Cleveland Browns earlier this offseason.
Hooper was signed to a 4 year, $42 million deal with $23 million guaranteed in March. That made him the highest paid tight end at the time. Since then, George Kittle inked a 5 year, $75 million deal with the 49ers and Travis Kelce signed a 4 year deal for $57 million total.
Ertz, 29, currently is set to make $6.6 million in 2020 and $8.25 million in 2021, before becoming an unrestricted free-agent in 2022. The Eagles, however, can save cap space by releasing Ertz after the 2020 season.
Ertz has been the Eagles' most reliable and productive pass catchers over the last few years. Specifically, over the last two seasons, Ertz has compiled 204 catches on 291 targets, 2,079 yards, and 14 touchdowns. Ertz has reached the Pro Bowl in three straight seasons. He has accumulated at least 70 catches, 800 yards, and 14 games played in every season since 2015.
When asked if he thought about playing for any other team, Ertz made it clear he wants to stay in Philly.
"I want to be here," Ertz said. "I've never thought of playing in another city. My family loves it here. My mom lives here. My brother is going to Temple. His fiance is going to school out here. So we have roots here now, this is home to me. I will never think about playing in another jersey until, if that time were to come. You know I've always said from the moment I got here, I wanted to be like Kobe you know Kobe was a guy I always looked up to, Kobe Bryant, and he played with one organization, his entire career and that's kinda what my goal was to always do was play here. I'll never let the thought of playing in another jersey creep in because I don't think I can picture that thought in my brain yet. I don't even want to get there yet because I don't want to shut the door. And then I think when you start having those thoughts so you're not going to give 100%, and that's something that I will never do. I'll always give 100% for this team and the city, because of how much I love it here."
