Thursday, October 1, 2026
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The Philadelphia Eagles made the move that most saw coming for a long time. Eli Stowers going to the IR brought on plenty of speculation, and the injury to Dallas Goedert sealed the deal.
The former Philadelphia Eagles three-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl 52 champion was signed to the practice squad on Monday.
The signing brings a lot of excitement and some concerns. Here’s what has me pumping the gas and hitting the brakes.
Dallas Goedert is out, and the Eagles need a pass-catcher. This scenario has been looming since Stowers got hurt. The Birds are very thin at tight end when it comes to guys who can actually threaten a defense.
The Eagles are hoping that Ertz can find soft spots in the coverage and move the chains. He doesn’t need to be 2015 Zach; he needs to move the chains.
The Eagles know what they are getting from Ertz. He understands offense, the way the Eagles want to do things, and the moment.
Ertz has also made a career out of finding space around the goal line and did exactly that for Washington last year. Concerns about his ACL could be overblown if he can snag a couple of short-yard balls for touchdowns.
Hurts and Ertz have some chemistry from the past, and that matters. Hurts doesn’t have to learn where Ertz likes to settle against certain coverages; even after 5 seasons, there is some familiarity.
Ertz is a no-risk audition for the Eagles. The Philadelphia coaching staff can get a look and see what he has left in the tank before making a true commitment.
Zach brings a plethora of veteran knowledge to the TE room. The team hopes his addition will go beyond the stat sheet.
Zach is 35, and it is important to distinguish that Philadelphia isn't getting the player who made 116 catches in 2018. Expecting that version of him would be unrealistic.
Ertz is coming off a major knee injury. The Philadelphia Eagles know his work ethic and knowledge, but they need to find out whether his body can hold up. His ability to create separation is the question. Knowing where to be doesn’t matter quite as much if you can’t create enough space to get there.
Dallas Goedert was sensational in 2025, and at the start of the 2026 season. His loss will cut deep. He delivers athleticism, YAC ability, and blocking versatility that Ertz may not replicate at this stage. Going into Monday night, believing he can replicate what Goedert brings to the table may not be realistic.
Ertz is one of the more beloved Eagles over the last decade. He has done so much for the franchise and the community. Unfortunately, nostalgia does not equal production. What he did in Philadelphia years ago is irrelevant to what the Eagles need him to do in 2026. Ertz has already said he knows he needs to earn it, and that attitude is exactly what one woudl expect from him, and that is the right approach.
The Eagles need to see what he can do on the field. This is a heartwarming story, but this is also a practice squad signing. All eyes will be on Zach to see if he can still play after last year's season-ending injury. High expectations are welcome, but shouldn't be expected.
Philadelphia views this as insurance, not a solution. The hope is that Goedert is back in three or four weeks. If that timeline changes, the Eagles may need to adjust to a longer-term plan.
MORE: Eagles reunite with Zach Ertz following Dallas Goedert's injury
