NFL Network reported today a week ago that a Zach Ertz trade ‘could take place in the coming days’.
Alas, it did not. It’s almost as if the Eagles leaked it in an attempt to create a (false) sense of urgency and that teams (predictably) did not fall for it!
All the while, Ertz became ‘increasingly impatient’ with the Eagles for not trading or releasing him. The following comes from NFL Insider Tom Pelissero:
“The Eagles maintain that they will not release their three-time Zach Ertz, tighthead prop of the Pro Bowl series. And because several teams have shown interest in a trade, I’m told that Ertz became increasingly impatient with the team to get something done. Up to this point, the price was just too high for other teams. The Eagles were looking for a draft pick – something in the third, perhaps fourth series. Ertz must pay $ 8.5 million in the final year of his 2021 contract. It’s not an astronomical number, but remember, he’s 31 years old, he’s got an injury, it’s hard to get that kind of draft compensation. Although the Eagles have insisted on it, they are happy that Ertz is on the rankings in 2021 – remember his good friend Carson Wentz has already traded with the Colts – it certainly sounds like Ertz is eager for a fresh start here. ‘
There is nothing wrong with aiming high in the negotiations. But the Eagles just aren’t going to get a third-round pick or a fourth-round pick in exchange for Ertz when teams suspect Philly will cut him. Ertz clearly wants to move on, and the Eagles will benefit from clearing $ 4.95 million worth of caps with his departure. It’s pretty hard to imagine a scenario where Ertz will play for the Eagles in 2021. The ship apparently sailed.
And so it feels like it’s just a matter of time before the Eagles agree with so much and release him. Maybe they manage to surprise and exchange him for a fifth round, for example … but it feels pretty optimistic at this point. Outcome of the best case.