Zach Ertz doesn’t want last year’s ACL injury to be final play of his career

**Commanders links**

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**NFL.com**

TE Zach Ertz, 35, doesn’t want ACL injury from 2025 to be his final play

“I don’t want it to be the last play that I have,” Ertz told 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.” Ertz spent the past two seasons in Washington, catching 50 passes for 504 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games in 2025. “It hurts my soul,” Ertz said of the ACL tear. “I wasn’t in pain. It was more like shock. I didn’t feel pain when I got hit. I didn’t feel pain when I was laying down. I just knew something was wrong.” The savvy veteran can still get open. In a league that is trending more toward two tight end sets, Ertz could play a sizable role when he’s finally healthy. The 35-year-old knows he’s going to have to prove he’s healthy enough to earn a roster spot. Four months removed from the ACL tear, it’s unlikely any club will rush to ink Ertz yet, but as we get closer to training camp, he should receive some calls from teams looking to add a veteran to the depth chart.

Rich Eisen and Ian Rappaport talk seriously about a Commanders trade-down scenario

Now just 10 days from the start of the #NFLDraft in Pittsburgh, what are the big storylines our buddy @RapSheet is keeping a close eye on?#NFL#RaiderNationpic.twitter.com/eFVe2nvWZ7

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) April 13, 2026

**Commanders Roundtable**

Five Possible Trade Partners For Washington Commanders in NFL Draft

With now less than two weeks until the 2026 NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders were reportedly among the teams exploring a trade to move down in the first round. The rationale is clear given the front office has a pair of top-100 picks to work with, including a seventh overall pick that could have a lot of intrigue given. With that, we take a look at five teams who have either been reported as interested in moving up or are a logical trade partner for the Commanders. **Tampa Bay Buccaneers** The 15th overall pick could be the sweet spot for Washington to move back to while adding another top-100 pick. The Bucs have three top-100 picks – 15, 46, 77 – with needs at edge, linebacker and tight end. If someone like Sonny Styles is available, that might be an appealing option for the Bucs in light of Lavonte David retiring this offseason. Edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. could also be a candidate for the Bucs if they opt to trade up. It would mark an attractive chance for Washington not only add another top-100 pick, but stay within a range to snag an impact player at a position of need.

On video talking about why staying put at 7 is the way to go. But there is a scenario it def makes sense to seek a trade back. @espnrichmond

— John Keim (@john\_keim) April 14, 2026

**Podcasts & videos**

Post-Signing 1-on-1: DE Charles Omenihu | Free Agency Friday x Next Man Up | Washington Commanders

Episode 1,302 – Guest: @MarkBullockNFL on Washington possibly drafting one of Ohio State's Big 4 at No. 7. In-depth analysis of Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs and Carnell Tate. Strengths and concerns, who's best?, how each would guy fit and more.

— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) April 14, 2026 Episode 1,301 – Guest: @MarkBullockNFL on Washington potentially taking Jeremiyah Love at No. 7. Comprehensive analysis of spending a top-10 pick on an RB, Love's excellence as both a ball carrier & pass catcher, how he compares with Bijan Robinson & more.

— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) April 13, 2026

**NFC East links**

**Bleeding Green Nation**

Ranking 9 tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft

*Tier 4: Round 5+*

**9. Joe Royer, Cincinnati** Overall: A decent route runner whose lack of size and length means he could end up functioning more as an H-back than a true inline tight end at the next level. He’s a scheme-dependent player who needs the right system to maximize his limited physical profile. Eagles Thoughts: I wasn’t overly impressed with Royer, and I think it will take a creative offensive mind to get the best out of him. He’s a mid-Day 3 player for me. Fine as a late-round developmental piece, but not someone I’d be targeting with any urgency.

The #Eagles, with all their WR moves, have prepared for life with or without AJ Brown. It’s going to be a deep WR room either way.

The belief remains something could happen in June, and he will be elsewhere in 2026. pic.twitter.com/mgTPeFsbAX

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 13, 2026

**NFL league links**

Articles

**The Athletic** (paywall)

How NFL players train for a career in broadcasting

Players attended meetings and panels and got time in front of the camera during the day, then stayed up until midnight learning rosters of old games they would be commenting on and studying. Producers and executives from all the major networks are on hand to answer questions about in-game TV analysis, studio work or radio broadcasting — and identify their next hires. “The NFL has done a great job of creating a pipeline for players to go from one career into the next,” Davis said. “Over 70 percent of the athletes that you see on these sports shows came through this program.” View Link Players such as Davis, Cooks and tight end Zach Ertz are looking to follow in the footsteps of workshop alumni such as Maurice Jones-Drew, Jason McCourty and Jason Kelce — but not quite yet. Davis, 37, recently re-signed with the Jets as a free agent after the linebacker spent the last eight seasons with the Saints. Cooks is a free agent, but the receiver has been talking to the Buffalo Bills about returning for a second season there. Ertz is also a free agent after spending the past two seasons with the Washington Commanders.

**NFL Draft**

**NFL.com**

Marcus Freeman: ‘Unicorn’ RB Jeremiyah Love could be an elite wide receiver

During a recent interview with Colin Cowherd, Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman said that Love “might be as good as any player I’ve ever been around.” “He is a unicorn,” Freeman said. “He is as talented and gifted an athlete as I’ve ever been around, and I think he could be an elite wide receiver, he could be an elite DB. He’s just gifted with a unique skill set, the balance, the ability to jump over you, the ability to run through you.” The question is whether a team drafting in the top five is willing to spend a premier selection on a running back, regardless of how dynamic that player is. We’ll find out next week.

Denzel Boston is NFL READY 👀🔥

Washington’s Denzel Boston has held a firm spot at #4 on Steve Smith's Big Board for months, and now Steve and James take you inside the tape to show you exactly why. pic.twitter.com/uxDNT5xHon

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) April 13, 2026

From Path to the Draft: A look at the latest news on #Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr., including the details on a 2024 car crash and what team have known. pic.twitter.com/dH82Z6WlIa

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 14, 2026

“It's a double edged sword for me… the clutch throws were GREAT no doubt, but the first three quarters of those four games were NOT very good.”   “When number one is not there… there's a little bit of UH-OH…”@danorlovsky7 on likely #1 pick Fernando Mendoza: pic.twitter.com/h6oPkziXXk

— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) April 14, 2026

I surveyed more than 30 college coaches to identify under-the-radar/sleeper players for the 2026 NFL draft. Carve out some time for this one.

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) April 13, 2026

My draft superlatives post is up at ESPN…

The best NFL prospects — at 100 different skills and traits.

— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) April 13, 2026

**aBit o’Twitter**

Days until…

Draft – 10 Projected Schedule Release – 30 Training Camp – 91 Preseason – 115 2026 Season – 150

— NFL Stats (@NFL\_Stats) April 13, 2026 We are…

➡️ 2 days until the Commanders jersey reveal

➡️ 3 days until GM Adam Peters & AGM Lance Newmark hold their pre-NFL Draft presser

➡️ 7 days until the team starts off-season workouts

➡️ 10 days until the NFL Draft

— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) April 13, 2026 The official #Commanders account has changed their profile picture to a dark burgundy & changed their profile header 👀

Less than 48 hours remain until the new uniforms are revealed ⏳ pic.twitter.com/wcA1kNPXSt

— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) April 13, 2026 your reminder that OTAs start in 1 week 😁 pic.twitter.com/CZJDOseRGb

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) April 13, 2026 #LSU CB Mansoor Delane, who could be the top CB taken, has the #Bengals, #Ravens and #Commanders as his final three visits, sources say. That’s 10 or so for Delane. pic.twitter.com/SxGh24eWFy

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 13, 2026 Washington lacks blue-chip talent. This draft lacks blue-chip talent. Mendoza is not a blue-chip QB. He’ll go #1. None of the OTs are what I’d consider blue-chip talent. One, maybe two, will go in the top 6.