Chiefs on free agency shortlist for TE Zach Ertz

Former Arizona Cardinals TE Zach Ertz is looking for a new football home. Arizona granted his release on Thursday, and on Friday, the Pro Bowl tight end cleared waivers. He's now free to sign with any NFL team interested in signing him, but he's not just going to sign with any old team. According to […]

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor

Dec 1, 2023 7:15 PM EST

Former Arizona Cardinals TE Zach Ertz is looking for a new football home.

Arizona granted his release on Thursday, and on Friday, the Pro Bowl tight end cleared waivers. He's now free to sign with any NFL team interested in signing him, but he's not just going to sign with any old team.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, "Ertz wants to land with a contender." He specifically mentioned the Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and Kansas City Chiefs. What exactly does that mean? It means that the agent for Ertz told Schefter that those are the teams Ertz would like to play for.

Ertz, of course, is expected to receive interest from the team that drafted him, the Eagles. They're dealing with an injury to their starting tight end Dallas Goedert. Ertz needs 11 receptions in Philly to pass WR Harold Carmichael for the most receptions in franchise history, so it could prove to be an appealing destination.

According to Bleacher Reports' Jordan Schultz, it's all going to come down to what type of role Ertz is looking for.

Zach Ertz's release from Arizona has been brewing over the last three weeks. It was a mutual parting of ways.#Eagles, #Ravens, #Bills and #Chiefs most in the mix on the 3x Pro Bowler as of right now. While interest is high, it really comes down to what type of role Ertz is… https://t.co/8njHeUv13W
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 1, 2023

Obviously, in Kansas City, Ertz would be playing second fiddle to star TE Travis Kelce. At the same time, there is perhaps no team with a greater need for reliable pass-catchers than the Chiefs. Even with the recent emergence of rookie WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City could use another option in this offense.

If the goal for Ertz is to win a Super Bowl, no team can give him a better offer than the Chiefs. The team has appeared in three of the last four Super Bowls, winning the Lombardi Trophy twice during that span.