The Philadelphia Eagles' initial 53-man roster included four tight ends, but it remains a position in question as we head toward the start of the regular season.
Of the quartet, only Dallas Goedert has caught more than 19 passes in a season. Johnny Mundt is a blocking TE and E.J. Jenkins has just one catch over 10 career games. Second-round pick Eli Stowers struggled mightily throughout training camp and the preseason and figures to be at least a year away from significant contributions.
With Goedert's injury history -- he hasn't played a full slate of regular-season games since his rookie season in 2018 -- pass-catching depth from the TE position is becoming a popular topic in Philly. Recently, it's turned to the question of whether general manager Howie Roseman would consider a reunion with Zach Ertz.
Asked on Monday if he's had any conversation or interest in bringing back Ertz, who is roughly nine months removed from an ACL tear, Roseman mostly deflected.
"First, I'd say what an unbelievable player, what an unbelievable person, tremendous respect for him," the GM said, via the team's official transcript. "At the same time, love what we have going in our tight end room, too. I would say, have talked to Zach over a period of time, obviously rehabbing his ACL and the relationship, just like a lot of our former players who've been here. But like anything else, wouldn't get into any conversations about anything other than from a big picture perspective. In my opinion, one of the greatest tight ends to play the game and just tremendous respect for him, and also excited about the tight ends that we have here."
Ertz spent his first eight and a half seasons in Philly before a 2021 trade to Arizona, where he participated in three campaigns. Ertz then moved in 2024 to Washington, where he still played a significant role last year -- catching 50 passes for 504 yards and four TDs -- before a Week 14 knee injury wiped out the end of his season. In a pass-challenged Commanders offense, Ertz still finished third in yards and second in catches last season, despite missing four games.
A savvy veteran, Ertz still owned the ability to make himself available to the QB last year. A week before his season-ending injury, the 35-year-old earned 106 yards on 10 catches against the Denver Broncos.
Roseman hasn't shied away from reunions in the past -- Nick Foles and DeSean Jackson to name two. The first question is if Ertz is fully healthy. Next is if the TE would want to take on a platoon-type role in the Eagles' offense. Then there is the matter of if Philly would prioritize bringing in another TE, which would be the ultimate indicator they don't believe Stowers will be a factor this season.
