Wentz works on helping Ertz with conflict resolution
The friction between Eagles management and loyal soldier Zach Ertz still is simmering at the NovaCare Complex.
Quarterback Carson Wentz and head coach Doug Pederson acknowledged Wednesday the tension between Ertz and management triggered by issues surrounding a contract extension. According to the NFL Network, Ertz and general manager Howie Roseman had “a very heated discussion” at a practice last week. The confrontation was witnessed by several Eagles.
“I’m talking to Zach quite often,” said Wentz, a good friend of Ertz. “As players we just stay together. We stay together, we believe in each other. Some of those things sometimes they take care of themselves. As players we just keep believing in each other and keep encouraging each other. I’ve been able to talk to Zach plenty and I’m expecting a big season for him. The last game obviously getting only a couple of catches, that’s just the way the game went. We know he’s going to get his and he’s going to be a big part of this offense. He’s a great teammate. We all love him and believe in him.”
Ertz is disappointed the Eagles haven’t made him a contract extension offer in line with the deals given recently to tight ends George Kittle and Travis Kelce.
Ertz has topped the Eagles in receptions four straight years and has contributed enormously to the organization off the field.
Just the idea of the level-headed Ertz having a heated confrontation with anyone raises eyebrows.
Pederson is caught in the middle of the drama.
“Well, I’m the head football coach and so I take the high road,” Pederson said. “I encourage the player to try to eliminate the distractions, leave that between the agent and the club and just focus on your job. I’m all for the player getting as much as they can. I’m happy when they can. But at the same time until the contract is signed or you know whatever it might be, I think it’s just from my standpoint as the head coach, just continuing to talk to players and say, ‘hey, man, let’s focus on this week. Let’s get better today. We’ve got a game coming up and this is how we’re going to use you in this game’ and try to get his mind, the player’s mind, off of that situation and let the powers to be kind of handle those contracts.”
The Eagles (0-1) entertain the Los Angeles Rams (1-0) this weekend.
Wentz is approaching his third game against quarterback Jared Goff, who the Rams selected ahead of him in the 2016 draft. The guys are represented by the same sports agency in Los Angeles and trained together prior to the draft.
Wentz shied away from framing the showdown as a rivalry a la Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning through the years.
“I’m on the East Coast and he’s on the West Coast so we exchange texts every now and then,” Wentz said. “It kind of is what it is. A lot of respect for him as a player and as a guy. He’s a good friend, but the rivalry, all of that stuff that’s neither here nor there for both of us. But I just enjoy playing against him, competing against him and this should be another fun one.”