Former Commanders tight end Zach Ertz rejects retirement, doesn’t want injury to be final play

Former Commanders tight end Zach Ertz isn’t ready to retire. The free agent is hoping to leave a memory that isn’t related to his final play.

Ertz tore his ACL during a game between the Commanders and Vikings in Minnesota last December. The gruesome injury drew well-wishes from players around the league and speculation that the 35-year-old would hang up his cleats.

The Stanford product rejected that speculation this week.

“I don’t want it to be the last play that I have,” Ertz told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Even talking to people now, and they do it out of the goodness of their heart, and [they say], ’Man, that injury was tough.’”

Ertz signed with the Commanders in 2024 after spending the bulk of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. He ranks fifth all-time in receptions by a tight end with 825 catches.

In two seasons with Washington, he became a favorite target for Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. Ertz recorded 116 receptions for 1,158 yards and 11 touchdowns as a Commander.

Washington has not re-signed Ertz, instead adding former Tennessee Titan Chigoziem Okonkwo to top the depth chart at tight end.

Ertz is hoping to impress another NFL club this offseason.

“And so for me, it’s just doing everything I can to get back to my best,” he said. “Because I felt like I was playing really good football before I got hurt.”