Zach Ertz’s Final Act Might Be His Most Impactful Yet
Zach Ertz may not be the player he once was on the field, but his value to the Washington Commanders runs far deeper than stats or snap counts. At 33, with his playing days clearly winding down, Ertz has embraced a role that many veterans shy away from - mentor, teacher, and steady presence in the locker room.
Second-year tight end Ben Sinnott summed it up best: “He’s a guy who helps all the time.”
That’s not a throwaway line. In a league where competition is fierce and job security is fleeting, especially at the same position, it’s not uncommon for veterans to keep their knowledge close to the vest.
Some see younger players as a threat, not a teammate. But Ertz?
He’s taken the opposite route - and it’s making a difference.
“My whole two years here, I’ve been able to just pick his brain and ask him anything,” Sinnott said recently. That kind of access, especially from a player with Ertz’s résumé, is rare.
We're talking about a three-time Pro Bowler, a Super Bowl champion, and one of the most reliable tight ends of the last decade. He’s been through the wars - from Philly to Arizona and now D.C. - and he’s seen the highs and lows of an NFL career.
When the Eagles moved on from him, it was the kind of moment that signals a shift in a player’s career arc. The Cardinals gave him a shot, but injuries and roster turnover led to his release.
The Lions took a brief look before moving on as well. By the time he signed with Washington, Ertz knew the reality: this was likely his last shot.
And yet, instead of retreating into self-preservation mode, he leaned in.
“He taught me so much about the routine, the consistency with the work every day,” Sinnott said. “He’s a guy who’s in the same spot at every time. He has such a consistency about him.”
That kind of consistency - showing up, doing the work, being present - matters. Especially on a young team trying to build something sustainable. It’s not flashy, and it won’t show up in the box score, but it’s the kind of leadership that shapes locker rooms.
Then came the moment that really drove it home.
In Episode 3 of Hard Knocks, there’s a clip that says everything you need to know about who Ertz is at this point in his career. He’s got a cast on his leg, crutches by his side - the aftermath of a brutal ACL tear. He could’ve been home, out of sight, quietly coming to terms with the end of his playing days.
Instead, he’s in the building, watching film with Sinnott, breaking down defensive coverages and teaching the finer points of reading a defender’s leverage. That’s not just mentorship - that’s leadership.
It’s easy to say, “Let me know how I can help.” It’s something else entirely to live it, especially when you know your own playing days are likely behind you.
Ertz isn’t helping out of obligation. He’s doing it because he still cares - about the game, about his teammates, about leaving the jersey in a better place.
For Washington, that kind of presence is invaluable. As the franchise looks to turn the page and build a new identity, having veterans like Ertz around - even if they’re not suiting up on Sundays - helps lay the foundation.
Zach Ertz may not catch another pass in the NFL. But if you ask Ben Sinnott, and probably a few more young Commanders, his final chapter might be the most meaningful one yet.