Commanders TE Zach Ertz opens up about returning to Philly to face Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles are gearing up for a big game on Thursday night against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field.

With a 7-2 record, the Eagles are just a step ahead of the 7-3 Commanders, and this matchup could be crucial in deciding the NFC East standings later in the season.

In addition to the competitive stakes, the game will be especially meaningful for Eagles fans as it marks the return of Super Bowl 52 hero Zach Ertz.

The 34-year-old tight end, who spent more than eight seasons with Philadelphia and was pivotal in the Eagles’ 2018 championship victory, will be back at the Linc for the first time since being traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021.

In an interview with John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Ertz shared his feelings on his upcoming return.

“Just because I’m playing down here now, it doesn’t change how I feel about the city, the people, the fans there,” Ertz said. “I don’t know what the reception is going to be, but it’s going to be a good day seeing so many familiar faces.”

Current Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert still holds onto the advice Zach Ertz shared with him when he first entered the league.

“The biggest thing was his work ethic, how he came to work every day,” Goedert said. “Me and him had a good relationship — and it was a competing relationship.

You know, we both wanted the ball, and we both wanted everything like that. Just see if I could — you know it was greatness pushing greatness. Every day, we went out and battled and kept making each other better.”

Ertz is having a solid year with the Commanders, tallying 37 receptions, 381 yards, and a touchdown over his ten starts, his most productive season since 2021.

Ertz is just ten receptions shy of tying Harold Carmichael’s franchise reception record. Maybe one day, he’ll return to Philadelphia to claim the top spot before hanging up the cleats.

For now, Eagles fans will be sure to give him a rousing ovation on Thursday night.

Zach Ertz had quite a run in Philadelphia for the @Eagles.

• Game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LII
• 5th all-time in receiving yards in franchise history
• 3X Pro Bowler
pic.twitter.com/hNrcFNctr0

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 15, 2021

Mandatory Credit: USA Today Sports