The Washington Commanders are going through a semi-rebuild so far this offseason. While maintaining the core trio at the top of their organization, which includes general manager Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, and quarterback Jayden Daniels, the rest of the roster has been in flux. The Commanders have spent nearly $253 million in free agency and have added 15 new players.
Among the new players in Washington is former Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo. Okonkwo signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the team in early March, and his addition most likely means that fan favorite tight end Zach Ertz won’t return.
GettyTight end Chig Okonkwo recorded 56 catches for 560 yards and two touchdowns as a member of the Tennessee Titans in 2025.
Zach Ertz Doesn’t Want To End His Career On An ACL Injury
Ertz signed a two-year deal with Washington in 2024 and was instrumental to Jayden Daniels’ development during his rookie season. Ertz posted 66 catches for 654 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024 and was on pace to have an even better season in 2025 before he suffered a gruesome ACL tear in Week 14. At 35 years old and after sustaining the injury so late into the year, many thought that Ertz might hang up his cleats at some point in the offseason. However, the tight end is looking to attempt a comeback for his 14th year.
GettyWashington Commanders tight end recorded 50 catches for 504 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games last season.
“I don’t want it to be the last play that I have,” Ertz told Jeff McLane of 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.’ When people think of my career and that last play, I don’t want that to be the conversation starter. And so, for me, it’s just doing everything I can to get back to my best because I felt like I was playing really good football before I got hurt.”
While Ertz is optimistic, he is also hyperaware of his situation and understands he might not be a hot commodity.
“I’m going in with eyes wide open,” Ertz stated. “I’m not going in with a lot of expectation. If I was a team I probably wouldn’t expect me, based on the injury, based on my age — ‘Hey, this is our Week 1 starter.’ But I do think if I can get back to myself that I’m still that same guy.”
Commanders Haven’t Fully Closed The Door On An Ertz Reunion
The only team remotely linked to the former All-Pro is the Commanders. It was reported that the Commanders were “keeping the door open” for him and were in contact with him about his recovery progress. However, that report came in late February, and before they signed Okonkwo.
It’s still possible that they could re-sign him in more of a mentor role to Okonkwo, who is only 26 years old. However, Washington has made an active attempt to bring in strictly younger talent after bolstering the oldest roster in over a decade last season. While Ertz is looking to ride off into the sunset on a better note, his opportunity may have to wait until closer to the season.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Commanders’ Fan Favorite Player Not Looking to Retire After Gruesome Injury appeared first on Heavy Sports.