The Philadelphia Eagles just lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football to drop to 2-4 on the season, and now they're making a big trade. After being involved in rumors for quite some time, the Eagles have traded star tight end Zach Ertz to the 5-0 Arizona Cardinals, according to an official release.
The Cardinals are sending cornerback Tay Gowan and a 2022 fifth-round pick to Philly for Ertz. While Arizona reportedly hasn't had any discussions yet with Ertz on a new contract, he's expected to have a key role in the offense and could certainly earn one with strong play, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
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Prior to this trade, Ertz had spent his entire career in Philadelphia. The Eagles selected him 35th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft, and he soon blossomed into one of the best tight ends in the league. He made three straight Pro Bowls from 2017-19 and had his best season in 2018, catching 116 passes for 1,163 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Eagles released these statements on the trade:
For everything you contributed on and off the field, thank you @ZERTZ_86. pic.twitter.com/fBJLnkCUQn
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 15, 2021
“He will always be a member of the Eagles family, not only because of what he accomplished on the field, but also because of the wonderful person, dedicated leader, and exemplary role model that he was for nine seasons in Philadelphia.” – Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 15, 2021
If he never returns to Philly later in his career, Ertz finishes his Eagles career with 579 catches for 6,267 yards and 38 touchdowns. He's 10 receptions shy of Harold Carmichael for the most in franchise history.
The 30-year-old played a key role during the Super Bowl run in the 2017 season.
While Ertz won't be able to play for the Cardinals this weekend against the Browns, he'll soon add another dimension to an already explosive offense. Arizona is undefeated behind Kyler Murray's MVP start, with DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk, Rondale Moore and A.J. Green making for an incredible receiving corps. Tight end Maxx Williams is out for the season, so Ertz will slide right in and take his spot.
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