Zach Ertz’s return to the Eagles became real before Monday night’s game even began.
Back in a Philadelphia uniform for the first time in nearly five years, Ertz went through pregame warmups at Soldier Field before sharing an emotional moment with his wife, Julie, and one of their sons. Video shared by John Clark showed Ertz wiping away tears as the family embraced. Ertz last played for the Eagles on Oct. 14, 2021. He was traded to Arizona later that month, then spent time with Washington before Philadelphia signed him to its practice squad last Tuesday. The Eagles elevated him for the Bears game after Dallas Goedert suffered an MCL sprain against Tennessee.
What a moment. You can tell how much family, football, and the Eagles mean to Zach Ertz.
He and his family are in tears as he returns to the Eagles tonight. Great moment with his young son, his wife Julie, and his mom, Lisa. pic.twitter.com/ODpQQpMM9s
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) September 28, 2026
The familiar uniform carries considerable history. Ertz spent more than eight seasons with Philadelphia, earned three Pro Bowl selections and caught the go-ahead touchdown in the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII victory over New England.
Zack Ertz coming back to the Eagles is great, but being able to share this moment with his son is AWESOME https://t.co/3sjhjmYGJD
— Jon Marks (@JonMarksMedia) September 28, 2026
.@ZERTZ_86 back in his @Eagles threads 🧵@PHIvsCHI – 8:15pm ET on ESPN
— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2026
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/r76tuqsbR2
Taking the field as an Eagle again 🙌 pic.twitter.com/AvbnaQ27Nb
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 28, 2026
Zach Ertz about to make his first #Eagles appearance since 2021. pic.twitter.com/75Bt8BDV1j
— Cayden Steele (@cayden_steele19) September 28, 2026
Things you love to see pic.twitter.com/Au1vDckXQD
— Jason Dumas (@JDumasReports) September 28, 2026
Zach Ertz back in an Eagles uniform tonight. pic.twitter.com/ZnESfkh1ND
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) September 28, 2026
Zach Ertz: pic.twitter.com/2itvYQa9fg
— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) September 28, 2026
Monday’s reunion came on short notice, with Ertz having only days to work back into the offense. How much he plays against Chicago remains to be seen. Before the first snap, though, the warmups reminded everyone what returning to Philadelphia means to him and his family.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Zach Ertz shares a tearful moment with family before Eagles-Bears kickoff
