The return of franchise legend Zach Ertz has been one of the more intriguing developments of thePhiladelphia Eagles' week. Most know what the veteran tight end can provide as a receiver, and his familiarity with the organization makes the reunion particularly interesting at a position that suddenly has a much bigger need.
Dallas Goedert's injury created that need, but it doesn't automatically mean Ertz will walk back into a significant role. The Eagles have a group of tight ends with different strengths, and the coaching staff now has to determine how Ertz fits into that mix.
Time will tell if Zach Ertz is elevated from the practice squad and whether he plays for the Eagles on Monday night. Many are already assuming both will happen, but the Eagles have
not made that official. For now,Sean Mannion and the coaching staff are using this week to determine exactly what Ertz can offer.
“Zach has a lot of history with the organization. We’re excited to bring him in and use the week to see what his role here will look like.”
Philadelphia's offensive coordinator can certainly be creative here. Adding a veteran with this skill set will give the offense options to bring Ertz into the mix early. Here are a few educated guesses about what that may look like.
Use Zach Ertz as a third-down and red-zone target.
Zach Ertz probably hasn't forgotten how to get open or catch the football. The Eagles have a lot of small targets. DeVonta Smith, as great as he is, tips the scales at 170 pounds. Makai Lemon stands at five-foot-11. He weighs 192 pounds. Ertz gives Hurts a larger target he loses in Dallas Goedert's absence. Easy throws on short yardage can build some chemistry.
Ertz could be especially useful on third down and near the goal line. Philadelphia wouldn't need to make him a focal point immediately. A few high-percentage throws could help him settle into the offense while giving Hurts another reliable option in serious situations.
Line Zach Ertz up in the slot
The Eagles could also move Ertz around instead of treating him like a traditional in-line tight end. Getting him into the slot could create favorable matchups against smaller defensive backs or linebackers who struggle to cover in space.
That doesn't mean Philadelphia needs to manufacture matchup opportunities on every snap. It simply gives Mannion another way to move Ertz around and make the Chicago Bears' defense declare how it wants to defend him.
Use Ertz to create opportunities for other teammates
The Eagles don't have to overthink this. They can use Ertz as one piece of a complementary passing game and let the attention he commands create opportunities for everyone else.
Easy completions to Ertz in the intermediate area could help draw defenders inside and create opportunities for Smith or Dontayvion Wicks farther downfield. It works the other way, too. If those receivers are creating problems on the outside, Ertz could find open space underneath.
That's the beauty of adding another experienced piece to the offense. Ertz doesn't have to dominate to matter. He needs to give the Bears one more problem to solve, and Philadelphia can build from there.
Ertz's biggest opportunity is that Philadelphia doesn't have to rely on one specific way to use him. He can help on third down, give Jalen Hurts a bigger target in the red zone, and create matchup problems from the slot, while his presence can also open space for DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks.
Those possibilities are why his return is intriguing in the first place. The Eagles aren't simply adding another tight end to the roster. They're adding another piece that can change how defenses have to account for the passing game.
Whether Ertz is ready to play Monday night will depend on the work he puts in this week and the coaching staff's evaluation. If he gets that opportunity, the smartest approach may be to keep things simple early, get the football in his hands, and let the rest develop naturally. If not, he should still pay dividends down the road and after Goedert returns. A few successful touches could build his confidence, establish chemistry with Hurts, and show Philadelphia exactly what this unexpected reunion can still offer.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 3 ways Zach Ertz could help Eagles' offense if elevated vs. the Bears
