Considering how little the New England Patriots have gotten out of their tight end group ever since Rob Gronkowski’s departure after the 2018 season, they will always be linked to potential draft picks and veteran players available alike. Recently released Kyle Rudolph, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, is one of them.
Another player to possibly keep an eye on is Zach Ertz, who is reportedly on the move: according to NFL insider Mike Silver, “multiple teams” have called the Philadelphia Eagles about acquiring the former second-round draft pick via trade.
Moving on from Ertz would make sense for the Eagles. Not only is the 30-year-old coming off the worst statistical season of his career — playing in 11 games he set new career-lows in receptions (36) receiving yards (335) and touchdowns (1) — he also carries a salary cap hit of $12.7 million in the final season of his current contract.
Could the Patriots be interested in acquiring that deal alongside a player on the wrong side of 30 coming off a disappointing season? Nothing is impossible in the NFL, especially if New England feels confident in finding a role for Ertz. Unless a contract restructure would immediately follow a trade, however, it seems unlikely the Patriots would want Ertz at his current price tag.