Zach Ertz approaches season like it’s his last
Ertz approaching 2020 like it’s his last year in Philly
PHILADELPHIA » Eagles Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz said Thursday he’s frustrated with negotiations on a contract extension and is approaching this season like it might be his last in Philly.
Ertz is under contract through 2021. He’s due $6.66 million in base pay this season and $8.25 million next year — grossly underpaid by today’s standards.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what’s fair in light of the contract extensions recently given to George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ertz not only has topped the Eagles in receptions since Doug Pederson arrived in 2016 but played with a lacerated kidney and a rib injury in the wild card round of the playoffs in January.
“You guys know me, I’m kind of an emotional guy when it comes to football,” Ertz said Thursday. “I kind of play with my heart as much as I can. It’s been frustrating at times, it’s been difficult. I’ve said all along I want to be here for the long run. I don’t know for sure if that feeling is mutual. But I know I’m going to play this year like it is my last year and I’m going to leave everything I possibly have in the tank for this team and this city because that’s what this
city deserves. Nothing less.”
Ertz expressed himself just hours after the Eagles announced they’d redone the contract of offensive tackle Jason Peters.
The Eagles haven’t commented on negotiations with Ertz but word got out that they had offered less guaranteed money than the deal they put on the table late last season. That according to the NFL Network, citing sources.
“I don’t want to get into the exact details,” Ertz said. “But I don’t think it should be that hard to get a deal done now. Now that the season is starting I can’t really focus on that. During training camp it kind of got the best of me a day or two and I really just had to talk to a couple of people, and kind of reset my mind and lean into my faith that I can’t really control this situation.”
Ertz stressed that he wants to stay in Philly. He said his family is here, including his mother, and his brother.
Active in the community, including Delaware County where he’s organized football camps andor headed movements to provide resources in Ridley and Chester, all Ertz can do now is hope for the best, and prepare for the worst.
“I’m going into this year like I’m going to leave it all out there,” Ertz said. “Whatever happens, happens … I’m going to do everything I can to give this city what it deserves and that’s everything I possibly have even if that means playing with a lacerated kidney. Whatever it takes to win football games. Do everything I can to kind of make a mark on this team and this city.”