TE1 is happy to be back!!
Veteran tight end Zach Ertz spoke to the Washington media today and had a lot to say, all of it upbeat and positive. Ertz stressed how keen he was to return to the Commanders after the 2024 season had ended, and the team’s understanding of the need to get better to take the next step.
He praised the early free agency moves like trading for Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil (“the best left tackle in the league”) as well as paying fellow TE John Bates to return.
My favorite quote? “The energy is just different here”
He went on to say how all the coaches were lined up and waiting to greet him when he arrived at the facility today, and described the Commanders’ togetherness as “something that is rare in the NFL.”
Listen for yourself and enjoy a 14-minute love-fest from this 11-year veteran who seems to have found the place he’s always been looking for.
LIVE: Zach Ertz speaks to the media after re-signing https://t.co/v6BKySXez9
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) March 11, 2025
Zach Ertz just told reporters that John Bates is one of the most dominant blocking tight ends he’s ever seen.
“There’s not many guys walking the Earth that can do what John Bates does.”
Wow. High praise.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) March 11, 2025
Great line from Zach Ertz who says if the NFC Championship Game ended at 6pm he knew he wanted to run it back with the Commanders at 6:01. Responding to a question from @cwallse
— David Harrison (@DHarrison82) March 11, 2025
Ertz said knowing they had 6 games that came down to the last play “if a couple don’t go our way we’re looking at a different season.”
“We can’t just say we’re 12-5 and the second best team in the NFC. We have to get better…. Everyone has that mentality.”— John Keim (@john_keim) March 11, 2025
Ertz: “Adding a guy like Deebo makes all our jobs easier…. and arguably the best left tackle in the league makes our job easier… Last year we were scratching the surface.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) March 11, 2025