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
John Bates:
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
Zach Ertz on John Bates: “He’s the most dominant blocking tight end I’ve ever seen and studied in my career. Not many guys can do what he does. I knew he’d have an opportunity to make a lot of money. I’m glad it’s in Washington.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) March 11, 2025
Veterans vs draft picks:
Zach Ertz speaking with the media after re-signing in Washington- Draft picks are fun but for some guys like me with a few years left vets are a more proven commodity
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 11, 2025
Running it back with the Commanders:
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
Improving on last season:
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
New additions to the offense:
Zach Ertz really likes Washington’s start to the offseason: “Sometimes it is a little bit of a shortcut to go get a proven commodity and a couple of those guys that are really, really, really good football players and that help our team immediately.” pic.twitter.com/FwVJQEI0Ei
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) 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
Ertz on getting vets like Deebo and Tunsil: “You love to find a guy like Jayden or Mike or Johnny but often times they take a few years to develop. For a guy that wants to win now it’s a shortcut to get proven commodities…. There’s no guessing or projection.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) March 11, 2025
Message to the fans:
good morning Commanders fans@ZERTZ_86 | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/lmtFGB1A6S
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) March 11, 2025