July 22, 2021   3 MIN READ

Inside The Birds: Ertz, Birds Situation Still Unclear

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With training camp days away for the Philadelphia Eagles, Zach Ertz remains with the team – for now.

On the latest Inside The Birds Podcast, Geoff Mosher and Adam Caplan discuss the latest on Ertz and on the team’s situations at cornerback, punter and elsewhere on the team.

Zach Ertz will report to camp next week – and then what?

Zach Ertz

Adam Caplan: “Zach is gonna report unless he changes his mind. He avoids $50,000 in fines per day. Remember now, there’s no guaranteed money in his contract and the Eagles will not cut him, as we’ve said for three, four months now. They will either trade him or he will be on the roster. They would have to do a 180, they’ve never considered cutting, they think he’s got value – but $50,000 a day for not reporting.”

Geoff Mosher: “I think Zach can still play. I still think for some teams, he can probably be their No. 1 tight end – maybe not their No. 1 pass catcher, like he was for the Eagles in 2017 and 2018. I think he can play. We know teams want him, it’s just an issue of his dollar value, so that’s why I call it a chess match. If he shows up, do the Eagles practice with Zach Ertz on the field and risk him potentially getting hurt, ruining any opportunity they have to: a) move him and, b) get rid of the salary of $8.5 million. No. Look I agree, Zach Ertz is going to show up and he should, but I’d be very surprised if you’re hearing about Zach Ertz participating in all sorts of practices and team drills. They’re gonna have to figure out a way to have Zach Ertz there, but not put him in harm’s way – and that’s very difficult.”

Steven Nelson

Mosher: “The Eagles have been interested as we’ve reported in Steven Nelson. It’s my understanding that Steven Nelson is also interested in the Eagles, as one of the teams that he has pondered and considered and shown interest in.”

Caplan: “The thing that we know is the Eagles give him the best chance to start […] and to me nobody has a bigger need at corner than the Eagles.”

Punter

Caplan: “ I just felt there was no way they wouldn’t bring in a punter to compete against [Arryn] Siposs, the punter that they signed who was with the Lions last season on their practice squad. He does turn 29 in November but their plan for now is not to bring anyone else in to compete against him. I spoke to 4-5 agents who have punters, and they all said the same thing.”

Landon Dickerson

Mosher: “I’ve talked to people who are familiar with contracts for rookies and they know that he’s got that injury history, which is quite extensive from college. In some cases teams will try to insure themselves against some future injuries, whether it’s with guaranteed or offset money…”

Caplan: “There is something going on here about making sure that they are protected. I’ve heard these kinds of discussions before with guys who have had significant injury histories. But [the Eagles] love [Dickerson], they love him, he loves them. Nick Saban called him the best leader he’s ever had.”

– Justin Morganstein (@jmotweets_) is a staff contributor to InsideTheBirds.com.

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