Ertz spent the last 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 a shock. I didn’t feel pain when I got hit. I didn’t feel pain when I laid down. I just knew something was wrong.”
The skilled elder can still open. In a league that leans more toward two tight ends, Ertz could play a significant role when he’s finally healthy. The 35-year-old knows he has to prove he is healthy enough to earn a place in the squad.
“I go in with my eyes open,” he said. “I’m not going in with high expectations. If I was a team, I probably wouldn’t expect myself, given the injuries, given my age — ‘Hey, this is our starting lineup in Week 1. But I think if I can get back to myself, I’m still the same person.’
Four months removed from the ACL tear, it’s unlikely any club will be in a rush to snub Ertz just yet, but as we get closer to training camp, he should get a few calls from teams looking to add veterans to the depth chart.