Sports
Eagles Rumors: Zach Ertz Contract Talks at ‘Abrupt Halt’ After Subpar Offer
YONG KIM/Associated PressContract negotiations between Philadelphia Eagles and tight end Zach Ertz reportedly came to an “abrupt halt” after the team made an underwhelming offer to the three-time Pro Bowler. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the proposed contract “had less guaranteed money than their offer in November” and “less cash over the next four seasons…
YONG KIM/Associated Press
Contract negotiations between Philadelphia Eagles and tight end Zach Ertz reportedly came to an “abrupt halt” after the team made an underwhelming offer to the three-time Pro Bowler.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the proposed contract “had less guaranteed money than their offer in November” and “less cash over the next four seasons annually than Austin Hooper's Browns contract.”
Hooper signed a four-year, $42 million deal with the Cleveland Browns that included $23 million guaranteed.
Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported the Eagles aren't averse to continuing negotiations:
Mike Garafolo @MikeGarafolo
To clarify, my understanding on Zach Ertz’s situation is the #Eagles have not closed the door on further discussions. This latest go-round didn’t result in a deal but they haven’t waved the white flag in the short term, and definitely not in the long term. Stay tuned.
If the Eagles were unwilling to better the terms of Hooper's deal, then Ertz has every right to feel a little aggrieved. Among tight ends through the first seven years of their career, the 29-year-old is first in receptions (525) and sixth in receiving yards (5,743), per Pro Football Reference.
George Kittle and Travis Kelce set the going rate for an elite tight end this offseason. Kittle signed a five-year, $75 million extension with the San Francisco 49ers, Kelce's four-year, $57.3 million extension will kick in with the 2022 season.
Ertz can point to the current market and reasonably demand somewhere in the range of $14 million annually.
Ertz's contract voids after the 2021 season, at which point he'll become a free agent.
That gives both sides plenty of time to resolve any differences and work out a final agreement. Conversely, that window also buys the Eagles more time to contemplate whether they want to give a lucrative extension to Ertz.
Dallas Goedert caught 58 passes for 607 yards and five touchdowns in 2019, and he's invaluable when asked to run block.
Goedert is four years younger than Ertz and hits free agency at the same time. Keeping the two together would obviously be ideal, but Philadelphia might have a limit to how high it's willing to go for Ertz, knowing a payday for Goedert looms as well.
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