The timing makes sense. Dallas Goedert is dealing with an injury. The Philadelphia Eagles like to use multiple tight end sets, and suddenly, one of the most familiar faces in franchise history is back in the building.
Zach Ertz isn't being asked to recreate his best years in Philadelphia. Now, the Eagles need to determine how his skill set can complement what they already have. For clarity, media members asked Sean Mannion forinsight Wednesday. He emphasized Ertz's experience as a receiver while also making clear that his exact role has not been determined.
"Well, obviously he’s a very, very comfortable pass catcher. He’s had a really strong track record in that area. And again, I think when you look at the tight end group in particular, it’s
about kind of the composite of everyone’s skill sets together. It’s what makes that position specifically unique is you have complimentary skill sets and how do they play off one another? How do they play off the different position groups that are on the field at the same time? So again, we’ll use the week to evaluate and see what Zach’s role looks like. We’re excited to have him here and it’s pretty cool. It’s funny, I was catching up [with him], I actually played against him in high school and then we were catching up and it’s cool because he’s had such a strong track record in this league and now to add him in kind of at a point midyear when we’re a little dinged up will be fun. It’ll be good to have a week of practice to see what his role looks like."
That last part is important. The Eagles aren't announcing a defined Ertz package until he's practiced with the team. Mannion wants to see how the veteran fits into the current offense, particularly alongside the other tight ends, but this seems clear to everyone. If Ertz is anything close to what he was last time most saw him, he brings something the Eagles can use immediately.
Philadelphia doesn't necessarily need Ertz to become a dominant player again (but it would be nice if he was in spots). His value could come from making the tight end room more versatile. Mannion said the Eagles already feel good about the group and emphasized that contributing as both a receiver and blocker is a prerequisite for the position.
Philadelphia has a practice week to determine exactly where Ertz fits, and that evaluation should reveal plenty. How quickly he picks up the terminology, how he looks in the Eagles' two-tight-end concepts, and how well his receiving ability complements the rest of the room will help determine how much responsibility he receives Monday night.
For now, the Eagles have added a familiar target at a position that suddenly needs one. Mannion gets several practices to see what that looks like on the field, and Ertz gets another opportunity to show Philadelphia exactly what he can still contribute.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Sean Mannion explains what Zach Ertz could bring to Eagles' offense
