Zach Ertz Bio
Zachary Adam Ertz is an American professional football tight end for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal, earning unanimous All-American honors in 2012 before being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. Ertz played nine seasons with the Eagles, making three Pro Bowls and winning Super Bowl LII with them. He holds the NFL record for most receptions in a season by a tight end and has also been a member of the Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions. His wife Julie is a former player for the United States women’s national soccer team.
Early Life and Background
Born in Orange, California, Zachary Adam Ertz grew up as the oldest of four children. His father played for the Lehigh University football team from 1981 to 1984, which gave the household a clear connection to the sport. Ertz attended Monte Vista High School in Danville, California, where he played both football and basketball.
As a senior at Monte Vista, Ertz was a standout on the football field, recording 56 receptions for 756 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. He was named to the All-East Bay Athletic League first team for his efforts. Those numbers showed the receiving skills and scoring instincts that would later define his professional career.
Path to American Football
Ertz committed to Stanford University, where he played for the Cardinal from 2009 to 2012. He redshirted his first year, preserving a season of eligibility while learning the program. By his sophomore season he had worked his way into a regular role within the offense.
Across his Stanford career, Ertz developed into one of the top tight end prospects in college football. As a junior in 2012, he posted 69 catches for 898 receiving yards and six touchdowns, leading all FBS tight ends in receiving yards that season. He was a unanimous All-American, a finalist for the Mackey Award, and a first-team All-Pac-12 selection. After that season, he announced he would forgo his senior year and enter the NFL draft.
Zach Ertz Career
Pre-Draft Process (2013)
On January 8, 2013, Ertz announced his decision to enter the 2013 NFL Draft. He was widely ranked as the second-best tight end prospect in his class by major draft analysts. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he finished second among tight ends in the bench press and ran the 40-yard dash in solid time.
At Stanford’s pro day, Ertz improved his numbers across the board, including a 4.67-second 40-yard dash and a 35.5-inch vertical jump. The Philadelphia Eagles liked what they saw and selected him in the second round, 35th overall, in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2013–2021)
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Ertz with the 35th pick of the 2013 NFL Draft. Head coach Chip Kelly planned to use him in three-tight-end sets, similar to what the New England Patriots had done. Ertz signed a four-year, $5.37 million rookie contract and arrived in time for minicamp, then began his career third on the depth chart behind Brent Celek and James Casey.
Ertz made his debut in the season opener at the Washington Redskins and caught his first career reception from Michael Vick. He earned his first career start in Week 4 and caught his first touchdown from Nick Foles during a blowout win at the Oakland Raiders. He finished his rookie year with 36 receptions for 469 yards and four touchdowns, then added three catches for 22 yards and a score in his first playoff game against the New Orleans Saints.
From 2014 through 2016, Ertz steadily climbed the depth chart and became one of the league’s most reliable pass-catching tight ends. A five-year, $42.5 million contract extension in January 2016 secured his future in Philadelphia. In 2017, he set career highs with eight receiving touchdowns, earned his first Pro Bowl nod, and helped the Eagles capture the NFC Championship. In Super Bowl LII on February 4, 2018, Ertz caught seven passes for 67 yards and a touchdown, including the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter as the Eagles beat the New England Patriots 41-33 to win their first Super Bowl.
The 2018 season was Ertz’s statistical peak. He broke Jason Witten’s NFL record for most receptions in a season by a tight end, finishing with 116 catches for 1,163 yards and eight touchdowns, and earned another Pro Bowl selection. He added a third consecutive Pro Bowl nod in 2019, posting 88 receptions for 916 yards and six scores. A high ankle sprain limited him in 2020, and in October 2021 he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2021–2023)
Ertz joined the Arizona Cardinals midseason in 2021 and quickly became a reliable target, finishing the year with 74 receptions for 763 yards and five touchdowns. In March 2022, he signed a three-year, $31.65 million extension to remain in Arizona.
A season-ending knee injury cut his 2022 campaign short after ten games, and a quadriceps injury in 2023 led to his placement on injured reserve. After requesting his release, he was waived by the Cardinals in November 2023, ending his time in Arizona.
Detroit Lions Era (2024)
On January 22, 2024, Ertz signed with the Detroit Lions practice squad to provide depth at tight end after an injury to Brock Wright. His contract expired when the Lions’ season ended after the NFC Championship Game.
Washington Commanders Era (2024–Present)
On March 12, 2024, Ertz signed a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders. He delivered one of the signature moments of his Commanders tenure in Week 17, catching six passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons, including the game-winning score in overtime that clinched Washington’s playoff berth. He finished the 2024 season with 66 receptions for 654 yards and seven touchdowns.
On March 11, 2025, Ertz re-signed with the Commanders on a one-year, $6.25 million contract. In Week 13 of the 2025 season, he caught his 816th career reception, surpassing Shannon Sharpe for fifth place on the NFL’s all-time receptions list among tight ends. He suffered a torn ACL in his right knee on December 7, 2025, and was placed on injured reserve three days later.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the field, Ertz built his reputation as a reliable possession receiver who excelled at working the middle of the field and converting in the red zone. His combination of size, hands, and route running made him a natural fit in two-tight-end sets, and his production climbed steadily as he earned more playing time. Over his career, he has served as a trusted chain-mover and scoring target for multiple quarterbacks, including Nick Foles and Carson Wentz.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ertz’s most iconic career moment came in Super Bowl LII, when his fourth-quarter touchdown gave the Eagles a lead they would not relinquish. In 2018, he surpassed Jason Witten’s single-season reception record for tight ends, finishing with 116 catches. More recently, his overtime touchdown against Atlanta in 2024 helped the Commanders reach the playoffs, and his 2025 climb up the all-time tight end reception list further cemented his place in NFL history.
Zach Ertz Career Wins
Across his NFL career, Zach Ertz has built one of the most productive résumés ever assembled by a tight end, highlighted by a Super Bowl championship, three Pro Bowl selections, and multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
Philadelphia Eagles Highlights
During nine seasons in Philadelphia, Ertz appeared in three Pro Bowls (2017, 2018, and 2019) and helped the franchise win its first Super Bowl. His 116 receptions in 2018 set the NFL record for tight ends in a single season, and he posted three straight seasons of more than 800 receiving yards from 2017 through 2019.
Other Wins and Performances
After leaving Philadelphia, Ertz contributed steadily in Arizona and then delivered a memorable overtime performance with the Commanders in 2024. He added a productive early stretch in 2025 before a torn ACL ended his season, finishing his career with 825 receptions, 8,592 receiving yards, and 57 receiving touchdowns.
Zach Ertz Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Football runs deep in the Ertz family. His father played for the Lehigh University football team from 1981 to 1984, helping spark Zachary’s early interest in the sport. That background helped shape his path from Monte Vista High School to Stanford and ultimately the NFL.
Personal Life
Ertz is a Christian. On February 26, 2016, he proposed to professional soccer player Julie Johnston, then a starting defensive midfielder for the United States women’s national team, at Klein Field, the Stanford University baseball stadium where they first met. They married on March 26, 2017, in Goleta, California, and were featured together in ESPN’s The Body Issue that same year.
The couple’s first son, Madden, was born on August 11, 2022. They later welcomed twin sons, Kace and Kyren, on August 24, 2024, expanding the family to five.
2025 Season Performance
Ertz returned to the Washington Commanders in 2025 on a one-year, $6.25 million deal, bringing veteran leadership to a young tight end room. Early in the season, he continued his climb up the all-time receptions list, surpassing Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe in Week 13 to move into fifth place among tight ends in career catches.
His season came to a sudden halt on December 7, 2025, when his right leg was struck mid-air during a game against the Minnesota Vikings, buckling his knee. He was carted to the locker room and, three days later, was placed on injured reserve after the injury was confirmed as a torn ACL in his right knee.
Despite the injury, Ertz’s 2025 campaign reinforced his value as a trusted target and respected presence in the Commanders’ locker room, even as he faced a long recovery ahead. His production and leadership continued to underscore a career defined by durability, reliability, and big-game performances.
