Zachary Adam Ertz Bio
Zachary Adam Ertz is an American professional football tight end who currently plays for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League. Born on November 10, 1990, in Orange, California, Ertz established himself as one of the premier receiving tight ends in the NFL. He played college football at Stanford University, where he earned unanimous All-American honors in 2012 before being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Over his career, Ertz has played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, and Washington Commanders. He won Super Bowl LII with the Eagles and holds the NFL record for most receptions in a season by a tight end, a mark he set in 2018. Ertz has been selected to three Pro Bowls and continues to be a productive receiving option entering his 13th professional season.
Early Life and Background
Zachary Adam Ertz was born in Orange, California, and grew up as the oldest of four children. His father played college football for Lehigh University from 1981 to 1984, giving him football in his blood from an early age. Ertz attended Monte Vista High School in Danville, California, where he excelled in both football and basketball. As a senior on the football team, he recorded 56 receptions for 756 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns, earning All-East Bay Athletic League first-team honors. His standout high school performance positioned him as one of the top tight end prospects in the country heading into college.
Path to the NFL
Ertz chose to attend Stanford University, where he played for the Cardinal from 2009 to 2012. He redshirted his freshman season in 2009, then emerged as a significant contributor over the next three years. In 2010, he appeared in 13 games with 16 catches for 190 yards and five touchdowns, including a reception in the Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech. He continued to develop his skills, finishing his collegiate career with a standout junior season in 2012. That year, he caught 69 passes for 898 receiving yards and six touchdowns, leading all FBS tight ends in receiving yards. He earned unanimous All-American honors, was named First-team All-Pac-12, and was a finalist for the Mackey Award given to the nation’s top tight end. After the 2012 season, Ertz declared for the NFL Draft, forgoing his senior year of eligibility.
Prior to the 2013 NFL Draft, Ertz was ranked as the second-best tight end prospect by multiple scouting services including ESPN Scouts Inc., Sports Illustrated, and DraftScout.com. He performed exceptionally at the NFL Scouting Combine, finishing second among tight ends in the bench press and third in the three-cone drill. He improved his 40-yard dash time to 4.67 seconds at Stanford’s pro day. NFL analysts projected him as a late first-round or second-round pick, and he was ultimately selected 35th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the draft.
Zachary Adam Ertz Career
Philadelphia Eagles (2013–2021)
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Zachary Adam Ertz with the 35th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, making him the second tight end selected behind Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert. Head coach Chip Kelly explained the selection, noting plans to utilize three-tight end sets similar to the successful approach used by the New England Patriots. Ertz signed a four-year, $5.37 million contract in May 2013 that included $3.65 million guaranteed. He competed for playing time during his rookie training camp and began the season as the third tight end on the depth chart behind Brent Celek and James Casey. Ertz made his professional debut in the season opener at Washington and recorded his first career reception on an 11-yard pass from Michael Vick. He earned his first career start in Week 4 and caught his first career touchdown in Week 9 against the Oakland Raiders. As a rookie, he finished with 36 receptions for 469 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games played.
Ertz continued to develop as the primary receiving tight end in subsequent seasons. In 2014, he recorded 58 receptions for 702 yards and three touchdowns while appearing in all 16 games. A highlight came in Week 16 when he caught a career-high 15 passes for 115 yards against Washington. His production increased significantly in 2015, when he finished with 75 receptions for 853 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games. He surpassed Brent Celek on the depth chart despite Celek remaining the nominal starter, as Ertz received more offensive snaps throughout the season. In the 2016 season, Ertz signed a five-year, $42.5 million extension in January and went on to lead the Eagles in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions with 78 catches for 816 yards and four scores in 14 starts.
Breakthrough and Super Bowl Championship (2017–2018)
The 2017 season marked Ertz’s breakthrough year, as he emerged as one of the elite tight ends in the NFL. He caught 74 passes for 824 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns in 14 starts, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. During the season, he became the first Eagles player to record 10 receptions and 100 receiving yards in a single game. The Eagles finished 13-3 to clinch the NFC East title and home-field advantage. In the playoffs, Ertz played a crucial role, catching a touchdown pass in the Divisional Round win over Atlanta and eight passes for 93 yards in the NFC Championship victory against Minnesota. In Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots, Ertz caught the go-ahead touchdown reception on a seven-yard pass from Nick Foles in the fourth quarter. The Eagles defeated the Patriots 41-33 to win their first Super Bowl championship in franchise history, with Ertz finishing the game with seven receptions for 67 yards and one touchdown.
The 2018 season became the defining year of Ertz’s career. He set the NFL single-season record for receptions by a tight end with 116 catches for 1,163 yards and eight touchdowns. During Week 16 against Houston, he broke Jason Witten’s previous record for most receptions by a tight end. He earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection and was ranked 40th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019. The Eagles returned to the playoffs where Ertz contributed 10 receptions for 102 yards in two games before the team was eliminated by the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional Round. His consistency continued into 2019, when he recorded 88 receptions for 916 yards and six touchdowns, earning his third straight Pro Bowl selection.
Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions (2021–2024)
On October 15, 2021, the Eagles traded Ertz to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for cornerback Tay Gowan and a fifth-round draft pick. In 11 games with the Cardinals that season, he recorded 74 receptions for 763 yards and five touchdowns. On March 13, 2022, Ertz signed a three-year, $31.65 million contract extension with Arizona. However, his 2022 season was cut short by a knee injury suffered in Week 10, resulting in his placement on injured reserve. He finished the year with 47 receptions for 406 yards and four touchdowns in ten games. In 2023, Ertz appeared in seven games for the Cardinals, recording 27 receptions for 187 yards and one touchdown before being placed on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury and subsequently waived in November. He signed with the Detroit Lions practice squad in January 2024 following an injury to Brock Wright, though his contract expired when the team’s season ended that month.
Washington Commanders Era (2024–Present)
On March 12, 2024, Ertz signed a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders. He made an immediate impact in his debut season, catching 66 passes for 654 yards and seven touchdowns. A memorable moment came in Week 17 when he recorded six receptions for 72 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons that clinched the Commanders’ playoff berth. In the 2025 NFC Championship Game, Ertz faced his former Eagles team and led the Commanders with 11 receptions for 104 yards in the 55-23 loss. On March 11, 2025, he re-signed with Washington on a one-year, $6.25 million contract. In Week 13 of the 2025 season, Ertz caught his 816th career reception, moving him into fifth place among tight ends with the most receptions in NFL history and surpassing Shannon Sharpe. However, his season ended prematurely when he suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during a game against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14 and was placed on injured reserve.
Playing Style and Strengths
Ertz has established himself as one of the most reliable receiving tight ends in NFL history. His 6-foot-5 frame and exceptional hands make him a dangerous red-zone target and chain-moving option over the middle of the field. His route-running precision and ability to create separation against both linebackers and safeties have allowed him to maintain high reception totals throughout his career. Ertz’s football IQ and understanding of defensive coverages have enabled him to find soft spots in zones and exploit mismatches against slower defenders. His consistency over more than a decade of production, including multiple 100-catch seasons, demonstrates his reliability and durability as a professional athlete.
Notable Achievements and Records
Throughout his career, Ertz has accumulated numerous accolades and set significant records. His 2018 season stands as a landmark achievement, as he set the NFL single-season record for receptions by a tight end with 116 catches. His career totals include over 825 receptions for more than 8,590 receiving yards and 57 touchdowns. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection from 2017 to 2019 and won a Super Bowl championship with the Eagles in Super Bowl LII. In college, he won the Ozzie Newsome Award as the nation’s top tight end in 2012 and earned unanimous All-American honors. His consistent production has placed him among the all-time leaders in receptions at the tight end position.
Zachary Adam Ertz Career Statistics
Over his NFL career spanning from 2013 to 2025, Ertz has established himself as one of the most productive tight ends in league history. His career reception total has surpassed 825 catches for over 8,590 receiving yards and 57 touchdowns. His single-season record of 116 receptions set in 2018 stood as the NFL benchmark for tight ends until it was broken in 2025. He has appeared in multiple playoff games, including two Conference Championship victories with the Eagles and a Super Bowl championship. His consistency is evidenced by multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons and consistent touchdown production throughout his career.
NFL Career Highlights
Ertz’s NFL career includes a Super Bowl championship with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2017 season, three Pro Bowl selections, and the distinction of being the fastest tight end to reach certain career reception milestones. His 2018 season, in which he set the single-season receptions record for tight ends with 116 catches, remains the highlight of his professional career. His ability to produce at a high level into his mid-30s demonstrates exceptional durability and continued dedication to his craft. The go-ahead touchdown in Super Bowl LII remains one of the defining moments of his career, cementing his legacy in Eagles history.
College Career Statistics
At Stanford from 2009 to 2012, Ertz redshirted his freshman year before emerging as a standout performer. His junior season in 2012 was his most productive, as he caught 69 passes for 898 yards and six touchdowns, leading all FBS tight ends in receiving yards. He was named a unanimous All-American and won the Ozzie Newsome Award as the nation’s top tight end. His performance in big games was notable, including his Rose Bowl performance and contributions in the Fiesta Bowl and Orange Bowl during his collegiate career.
Zachary Adam Ertz Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Ertz comes from an athletic family, with his father having played college football for Lehigh University from 1981 to 1984. This football heritage provided Zach with early exposure to the sport and helped shape his development as an athlete. Growing up as the oldest of four children in Orange County, California, Ertz was immersed in a competitive athletic environment that fostered his rise to professional sports.
Personal Life
Ertz married Julie Johnston, a former player for the United States women’s national soccer team, on March 26, 2017, in Goleta, California. The couple met at Stanford University, where Julie was a standout defensive midfielder for the women’s soccer team. They became engaged on February 26, 2016, at Klein Field, the Stanford baseball stadium where they first met. Together, they have three sons: Madden, born on August 11, 2022, and twins Kace and Kyren, born on August 24, 2024. Ertz has spoken publicly about his Christian faith and the role it plays in his life. The couple was featured in ESPN’s The Body Issue magazine in 2017. They currently reside where Ertz continues his NFL career with the Washington Commanders.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Ertz returning to the Washington Commanders on a one-year contract after his strong finish to the 2024 campaign. He continued to serve as a reliable receiving target for the Commanders’ passing game, demonstrating his enduring skills as one of the league’s most accomplished tight ends. In Week 13 of the 2025 season, Ertz achieved a significant career milestone by catching his 816th reception, moving him into fifth place among tight ends in NFL history and surpassing Shannon Sharpe. This achievement underscored his remarkable consistency and longevity in a demanding position. However, the season took a dramatic turn in Week 14 when Ertz suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during a game against the Minnesota Vikings. The injury occurred when his leg was struck by a defensive player while he was airborne attempting to make a catch. He was helped off the field and carted to the locker room before being placed on injured reserve, prematurely ending his 2025 season. Despite this setback, Ertz’s legacy as one of the most productive tight ends in NFL history remains intact, with his career statistics and achievements cementing his place among the game’s all-time greats at his position.