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TE Zach Ertz, 35, doesn’t want ACL injury from 2025 to be his final play
“I don’t want it to be the last play that I have,” Ertz told Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Even talking to people now, and they do it out of the goodness of their heart, and [they say], ‘Man, that injury was tough.’ When people think of my career and that last play, I don’t want that to be the conversation starter. And so, for me, it’s just doing everything I can to get back to my best because I felt like I was playing really good football before I got hurt.”
Ertz spent the past
two seasons in Washington, catching 50 passes for 504 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games in 2025.
“It hurts my soul,” Ertz said of the ACL tear. “I wasn’t in pain. It was more like shock. I didn’t feel pain when I got hit. I didn’t feel pain when I was laying down. I just knew something was wrong.”
The savvy veteran can still get open. In a league that is trending more toward two tight end sets, Ertz could play a sizable role when he’s finally healthy. The 35-year-old knows he’s going to have to prove he’s healthy enough to earn a roster spot.
Four months removed from the ACL tear, it’s unlikely any club will rush to ink Ertz yet, but as we get closer to training camp, he should receive some calls from teams looking to add a veteran to the depth chart.
Rich Eisen and Ian Rappaport talk seriously about a Commanders trade-down scenario
Commanders Roundtable
Five Possible Trade Partners For Washington Commanders in NFL Draft
With now less than two weeks until the 2026 NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders were reportedly among the teams exploring a trade to move down in the first round. The rationale is clear given the front office has a pair of top-100 picks to work with, including a seventh overall pick that could have a lot of intrigue given. With that, we take a look at five teams who have either been reported as interested in moving up or are a logical trade partner for the Commanders.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 15th overall pick could be the sweet spot for Washington to move back to while adding another top-100 pick. The Bucs have three top-100 picks – 15, 46, 77 – with needs at edge, linebacker and tight end. If someone like Sonny Styles is available, that might be an appealing option for the Bucs in light of Lavonte David retiring this offseason. Edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. could also be a candidate for the Bucs if they opt to trade up. It would mark an attractive chance for Washington not only add another top-100 pick, but stay within a range to snag an impact player at a position of need.
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Post-Signing 1-on-1: DE Charles Omenihu | Free Agency Friday x Next Man Up | Washington Commanders
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Bleeding Green Nation
Ranking 9 tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft
Tier 4: Round 5+
9. Joe Royer, Cincinnati
Overall: A decent route runner whose lack of size and length means he could end up functioning more as an H-back than a true inline tight end at the next level. He’s a scheme-dependent player who needs the right system to maximize his limited physical profile.
Eagles Thoughts: I wasn’t overly impressed with Royer, and I think it will take a creative offensive mind to get the best out of him. He’s a mid-Day 3 player for me. Fine as a late-round developmental piece, but not someone I’d be targeting with any urgency.
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How NFL players train for a career in broadcasting
Players attended meetings and panels and got time in front of the camera during the day, then stayed up until midnight learning rosters of old games they would be commenting on and studying. Producers and executives from all the major networks are on hand to answer questions about in-game TV analysis, studio work or radio broadcasting — and identify their next hires.
“The NFL has done a great job of creating a pipeline for players to go from one career into the next,” Davis said. “Over 70 percent of the athletes that you see on these sports shows came through this program.”
Players such as Davis, Cooks and tight end Zach Ertz are looking to follow in the footsteps of workshop alumni such as Maurice Jones-Drew, Jason McCourty and Jason Kelce — but not quite yet. Davis, 37, recently re-signed with the Jets as a free agent after the linebacker spent the last eight seasons with the Saints. Cooks is a free agent, but the receiver has been talking to the Buffalo Bills about returning for a second season there. Ertz is also a free agent after spending the past two seasons with the Washington Commanders.
NFL Draft
NFL.com
Marcus Freeman: ‘Unicorn’ RB Jeremiyah Love could be an elite wide receiver
During a recent interview with Colin Cowherd, Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman said that Love “might be as good as any player I’ve ever been around.”
“He is a unicorn,” Freeman said. “He is as talented and gifted an athlete as I’ve ever been around, and I think he could be an elite wide receiver, he could be an elite DB. He’s just gifted with a unique skill set, the balance, the ability to jump over you, the ability to run through you.”
The question is whether a team drafting in the top five is willing to spend a premier selection on a running back, regardless of how dynamic that player is. We’ll find out next week.
