Zach Ertz gave everything he had to the Washington Commanders over the past two seasons. As the team’s unquestioned No. 1 tight end, he was a steadying presence for a young offense and a critical security blanket for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
That’s what made his season-ending ACL injury against the Vikings all the more brutal. It wasn’t just the timing-late in the year-it was the cruel nature of how it happened.
For a 35-year-old veteran staring down a long rehab, this could very well mark the end of his time in Washington.
And if that’s the case, the Commanders are left with a significant void-on the field, in the locker room, and in the development of their young quarterback. Ertz wasn’t just a pass-catcher; he was a mentor, a leader, and a reliable outlet when things broke down. That’s not something you just replace overnight.
Enter Ben Sinnott, the 2024 second-round pick out of Kansas State. The Commanders clearly see potential in the rookie, but potential doesn’t always translate into production-at least not right away.
Sinnott has shown flashes, sure. But trusting him to immediately take over Ertz’s full workload would be a bold move, especially with a new offensive coordinator, David Blough, stepping in.
Blough will have his own vision for how this offense should operate, and that could influence how Washington addresses the tight end position moving forward.
One name that could be on their radar? Isaiah Likely.
With the Ravens undergoing a major transition-parting ways with long-time head coach John Harbaugh and entering a new era-there’s uncertainty in Baltimore for the first time in a while. Whoever takes over will inherit a roster that already includes Mark Andrews, one of the league’s top tight ends, and a hefty contract to go with him. That could make Likely, a talented young tight end in his own right, an expendable piece.
And that’s where the Commanders might see an opportunity.
Likely has never been the true TE1 for an extended stretch, but when he’s been given the chance, he’s shown real upside. He’s a crisp route runner with soft hands and a knack for creating yards after the catch.
While his blocking still needs refinement, his skill set as a pass-catcher fits exactly what Washington is missing with Ertz out of the picture. More than anything, the Commanders need explosiveness.
They need someone who can stretch the field, make plays in space, and give Daniels a dynamic option in the middle of the field.
According to Spotrac, Likely is projected to command a deal in the range of four years, $36.36 million-roughly $9.09 million annually. That’s not a small number for a tight end who hasn’t cracked 500 receiving yards in a season yet.
But context matters. Likely hasn’t had the chance to be the guy.
In Washington, he would.
General manager Adam Peters has the cap space to make a move like this, and if the front office believes Likely can unlock another level in this offense, it’s a swing worth considering. With Ertz’s future uncertain and Sinnott still developing, Likely could offer the kind of immediate impact that helps Daniels grow into the franchise quarterback Washington hopes he’ll become.
And if it works out, nobody would benefit more than Daniels himself.