Bill Belichick isn’t known for his sense of humor but apparently the longtime Patriots coach was in a joking mood Monday.
The Pats are in Philadelphia this week for joint practices with the Eagles and an exhibition game to follow Thursday night at Lincoln Financial Field. Belichick, who has long been an admirer of Zach Ertz, exchanged pleasantries with the veteran tight end during Monday’s practice (a session the Eagles reportedly dominated), acknowledging his desire to someday coach the three-time Pro Bowler. According to local sports anchor Jamie Apody of 6 ABC Philadelphia, Belichick expressed to Ertz that he had tried to trade for him on numerous occasions but suggested GM Howie Roseman’s asking price of “two first-round picks and two of my grandchildren” was too rich for his blood.
While Twitter skeptics weren’t buying it, Apody claims Belichick was serious—well except for the grandchildren part. Taken at face value, Belichick’s apparent interest in Ertz is an eyebrow-raiser, especially considering how much the Patriots just spent on tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry during this year’s free agency. Some, including Ryan Phillips of the Big Lead, have questioned whether Belichick’s remarks to Ertz constitute tampering, which could result in a fine or other league-imposed discipline.
Though Ertz, who arrived at camp this summer donning a flashy new hairstyle, is coming off a down 2020 campaign (career-low 335 receiving yards in 11 games), the 30-year-old Stanford alum has been one of the more productive tight ends in football throughout his career, setting a franchise record for catches (116) in 2018. Ertz also has history with New England, contributing the go-ahead touchdown in Philadelphia’s triumph over the Patriots in Super Bowl LII. That made up for the Eagles’ previous disappointment at the hands of New England, when the Patriots, led by an MVP performance from Deion Branch (133 yards on 11 catches), defeated Philadelphia 24-21 in Super Bowl XXXIX.
The emergence of 2018 second-rounder Dallas Goedert coupled with a new coaching regime has made Ertz (headed into the final year of a five-year, $42.5-million contract) somewhat expendable, casting doubt on his Eagles future beyond this season. That being said, Ertz’s experience should prove valuable to second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts, who showed promise as a rookie with nine touchdowns (six passing, three rushing) but was also erratic at times, completing just 52 percent of his passes with six turnovers (four interceptions, two lost fumbles).
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