Report: Zach Ertz to sign with Detroit Lions for NFC Championship Game

Zach Ertz is reportedly returning to action with the Detroit Lions this week and signing with the team, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Ertz last played midseason with the Arizona Cardinals and weighed his options throughout the rest of the 2023 campaign. Now, he’ll get a chance to contribute in the postseason and get to another Super Bowl.

The Lions will take on the San Francisco 49ers on the road Sunday.

“Three-time Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz is signing with the Lions, per sources. Ertz will start out on the practice squad, with plans to potentially elevate him for the NFC Championship Game,” Pelissero wrote on Twitter. “A boost for the final stretch.”

Ertz and the Philadelphia Eagles originally had mutual interest in a reunion back in December. At that time, the Eagles were 10-1 but were down an injured Dallas Goedert, his former teammate.

During his tenure in Philadelphia, Ertz hauled in 579 receptions for 6,267 yards and 38 touchdowns. He also appeared in three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2017-19. In 28 games for the Cardinals, he recorded 130 receptions for 1,167 yards and eight scores.

Hampered by a quad injury, Ertz appeared in just seven games this season.

“Unfortunately, one of the bad parts of football is injuries. I think during [Ertz’s latest injured reserve stint], we had a few things happen,” Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort said at the time of Ertz’s release, via Arizona Sports. “Trey McBride really came on, asserted himself and really became a focal point of our offense. It’s been fun to watch his development both as a blocker and a receiver and really been a big part of what we’ve been doing here these last six weeks.

“When it came down to it, Zach had interest in going to seek other opportunities. … We had conversations over the last couple weeks, and this ended up being the best for both parties to go a different direction at this time.”

Now Ertz, who won Super Bowl LII with the Eagles, gets another chance at a ring with Detroit. The Lions have never made the Super Bowl but decided to boost the tight end room this week.

Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta has been a breakout star and now he’ll get the veteran at his side this week.