Commanders fans will love Zach Ertz's comments as TE contemplates 2026 return

TL;DR

Zach Ertz, the Washington Commanders tight end, is contemplating a return in 2026 despite suffering an ACL injury that ended his 2025 season. Fans are excited about his determination to continue playing at 35 years old.

Commanders fans will love Zach Ertz's comments as TE contemplates 2026 return originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz was on track to have one of his better seasons in 2025 at the ripe age of 35, but the football gods thought otherwise.

An ACL injury in Week 14 ended Ertz's season, and for some, given the point he's at in his career, some thought he would hang up the cleats.

That is understandable considering that the veteran tight end will miss the majority of the 2026 season as he recovers from the devastating knee injury.

But if you thought Zach was ready to throw in the towel, guess again.

"I don't want it to be the last play that I have," Ertz said via Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "Even talking to people now, and they do it out of the goodness of their heart, and [they say], 'Man, that injury was tough.' When people think of my career and that last play, I don't want that to be the conversation starter.

"And so, for me, it's just doing everything I can to get back to my best because I felt like I was playing really good football before I got hurt."

More:Patriots drop thought-provoking comment on potential trades

Who will take Ertz chance?

Things aren't exactly in Ertz's favor right now.

At his age, coming off an ACL, and expected to miss the majority of the 2026 season, there won't be a long list of teams lining up to sign him. At least right now.

But once he gets back to full health, will there be a contending team that will take a flier on him to come to the team and be productive? That's the hope.

However, right now, it doesn't feel like there will be a big market for Ertz, who is determined to make it back to the football field in 2026.

Could that be with Washington?