The San Francisco 49ers may have struck gold with the recent waiver of Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Arizona dismissed Ertz on Thursday after he requested his release. Ertz, a three-time Pro Bowler, may complement tight end George Kittle in the 49ers attack.
Furthermore, the 49ers may pit Ertz against his initial former squad, the Philadelphia Eagles. Ertz was a member of the Eagles from 2013 to 2020, and he helped the team win the Super Bowl in 2018.
Because of their records, the 49ers (8-3) will have a better chance on the waiver wire than the Eagles (10-1). That is, assuming Ertz slips that far on the waiver wire; but, he did request a release from a 2-10 team.
The 49ers require a quality second tight end to complement Kittle. While Kittle has been as consistent as ever, with 46 receptions for 667 yards and five touchdowns, quarterback Brock Purdy lacks a backup tight end.
Tight end with the Niners This season, Ross Dwelley has a 12-yard reception. Charlie Woerner, another tight end, has one reception for nine yards.
After 27 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown for the Cardinals this season, Ertz still has a lot to offer. He played 64% of the offensive snaps for the team in 2022, but he has been limited by injuries since then, including an ACL rupture last year and a quad ailment this year.
Ertz, a California native, also has roots to the great Bay Area from his time at Stanford before being picked by the Eagles in 2013.
Zach Ertz Gives 49ers Affordable Option on Offense
With Ertz, Purdy would have another effective red zone target. Furthermore, with his 6-foot-5 size, Ertz can successfully pick up yards on short routes and grab the ball downfield.
Ertz has a career average of 10.5 yards per reception with 709 catches for 7,434 yards and 46 touchdowns. He also has plenty of postseason experience, having caught 36 passes for 381 yards and two touchdowns in eight career playoffs games.
Despite his salary cap figure of $11.6 million this year, signing Ertz could benefit the 49ers. This season, San Francisco has $39.6 million in salary cap space.
The 49ers’ free-agent demands and what Ertz could command make next year unclear. The Cardinals signed him to a three-year, $31.65 million contract.
Brock Purdy Targets George Kittle Often Despite Slow Start
Adding Ertz would only make Purdy’s job easier in the long run. Purdy targets Kittle the most (61 targets) of any receiver, trailing only wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (65 targets).
This is in addition to Kittle’s duty as a run blocker, which has contributed to his sluggish start to the season in terms of pass catching. He didn’t have a touchdown catch until the October 8 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
“I think just the scheme of things, you know, that’s sort of just how we’ve drawn things up,” Purdy told Sports Illustrated’s All 49ers at an October press conference. “That’s how the games have really gone, where other guys have popped open and stuff, and George has had to help out with protection, and he’s done such a good job of that role, being in protection and checking out on the flat and stuff like that.”
“And then, when his opportunities arise, we seize them.” But, man, that’s just how things have gone so far,” Purdy continued.
Kittle’s career has mostly taken off since late October, when he had two 100-yard games and two touchdowns.
