Zach Ertz is Arizona bound and here’s what the Eagles can look forward to in rookie CB Tay Gowan
It seemed inevitable to happen at some point this season, but Zach Ertz is on his way to Arizona. Julie Ertz, the highly decorated member of the US Woman’s National Soccer Team, and her husband, the nine-year Eagles tight end, formed a rare mutual love between athletes and the city of Philadelphia.
Zach holds the Eagles’ franchise record for single-season receptions and brought us the ultimate prize of a Lombardi Trophy.
This trade stings less after hearing many rumors about the potential move dating back to last season. In the deal, the Eagles received former UCF cornerback Tay Gowan and a 2022 fifth-round pick.
After opting out of the 2020 season and with limited experience against AAC receiver, the sixth-round pick became a project pick for the Cardinals. Gowan’s strengths coming out of college were his explosive closing burst/speed and his experience in NFL-style coverage. In 2019, Gowan saw 81 coverage snaps in press-man, allowing only 13 first downs in 12 starts.
At 6-foot-2, 185-pounds, the former Knight brings size, length, speed, and production. In 2019, he did exactly what was asked of him and showed flashes of elite-level coverage. However, he remains an unproven tackler, and the lack of sample size most likely made his draft stock fall drastically.
Tay Gowan 2019 Season (425 coverage snaps)
- 50 targets
- 20 catches
- 40% completion rate
- 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 7 PBUs
- 54.9 Passer Rating when targeted
- 81.0 PFF Defensive Grade
It’s sad to see a favorite fan go and finish his career elsewhere. The truth is this the team is not in the market for an aging tight end, especially with Dallas Goedert potentially signing an extension very soon. The return on the deal was about what I expected. Tay Gowan is an exciting project in the secondary, and the Eagles could use that fifth-round pick to move back into a Day Two selection in the 2022 Draft.
The bond between the Ertz family and Philadelphia goes way beyond the business side of sports. Zach Ertz is the greatest tight end in Eagles’ history and will forever be a Philadelphia legend.
>> Read More: Howie Roseman praises young tight end following Zach Ertz trade
Mandatory Credit: Julio Aguilar | Getty Images
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