The Philadelphia Eagles have extended the contract of three-year tight end Zach Ertz through the 2021 season, the team announced Monday.
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Ertz’s five-year extension is reportedly worth about $42.5 million and signals the Eagles’ interest in building an offense around the pass-catching tight end.
Ertz, 25, finished with the sixth-most receptions (75) and seventh in receiving yardage (853 yards) among tight ends in 2015. Ertz could have delayed his decision and entered the fourth and final year of his rookie deal with the goal of pumping up his value and testing the free agent market in 2017.
“I’ve never played the game for money. When you’re able to have that continuity, I think it goes a long way”.
He said it also had to do with leaving a legacy as one of the best Eagles of all time, mentioning safety Brian Dawkins, quarterback Donovan McNabb and running back Brian Westbrook. “But I’m not (going to) rest until we do and win as many as we possibly can”.
“He’s the type of player who’s going to thrive in any system”, Caric said. I’m really excited to work with coach (Doug) Pederson, a new mind and new voice, and I think that, hopefully, that’s going to take me a long way. Ertz has placed his faith in the hands of the key decision-makers within the front office, including Pederson, with whom the young tight end has spoken only briefly but who has earned his respect because of his success with the Chiefs. Reid was sacked before Ertz was drafted.
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“I wouldn’t be here without Jordan Matthews pushing me each and every day during the offseason”, Ertz said. The production has been there, and it was a smart investment by Philadelphia to lock up a top-five tight end. “Brent Celek has been unbelievable”. When we’re playing great and winning, our fans are the best fans in the world, and there’s no one else in the league I’d rather play for. Alonso missed that season with a torn ACL, but it came after the spring OTAs and minicamp. “I can tell you Kiko is very excited about this defense”.
