Why keeping Zach Ertz was the right move for Cards

In case you haven’t been following this franchise for very long, the Arizona Cardinals have essentially been allergic to quality tight end production since Jackie Smith left the team in 1977. From then on, it’s been a hodgepodge of overpaid free agents and draft busts desperately attempting to fill the glaring hole at the position.

While other NFL teams have adapted to a revised game that views the tight end position as a focal point of the offense, the Cardinals’ production felt dated. That changed in a hurry last October when general manager Steve Keim finally pulled the trigger on a deal for pass-catching phenom Zach Ertz.

Ertz, whom the team had been eyeing dating back to the 2021 offseason, was viewed as a must-add following the season-ending leg injury to incumbent starter Maxx Williams.

After securing Ertz for a 2022 fifth-round pick and developmental cornerback Tay Gowan, Ertz responded by showcasing immediate rapport with Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. Following his acquisition, no tight end in football was targeted more than No. 86 for Arizona (81 targets). It was because of this that Keim and his staff went to work on extending their modern day Jackie Smith immediately after the season.

On Sunday afternoon, with NFL free agency just a few hours away, the Cardinals had officially locked up their Pro Bowl, 31-year-old tight end. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Arizona extended Ertz to the tune of a three-year deal worth $31.65 million with nearly $17.5 million in guarantees.

Ertz has long proclaimed his appreciation for Arizona, with his wife Julie a native of the Mesa area. It also helps that Ertz has developed a friendship with current Cardinals guard Justin Pugh, as well as now former Cardinal Jordan Hicks. That camaraderie and comfort level likely played a big part in Ertz opting to stay in the desert, as his free agent market was said to be “huge.” Most notably, the Washington Commanders were eying the Pro Bowl tight end in an attempt to ease the transition for newly acquired quarterback Carson Wentz. Wentz and Ertz were teammates and friends during their tenure in Philadelphia.

Instead, Ertz chose to continue catching passes from Kyler Murray, a quarterback he has notably called “the most talented player he’s ever been around.”

With Ertz now primed and ready to complete his first full season in Arizona, it’s fair to expect a huge jump in production next year. In eight of his first 11 games with the Cardinals, Ertz averaged a robust 12.8 yards per catch and was frequently looked at as the team’s top target following the injury to DeAndre Hopkins. Entering 2022, with both Christian Kirk and A.J. Green expected to land elsewhere, Ertz will only see his share of targets grow, especially on underneath routes. The Cardinals hope that with a full offseason that Ertz can respond by eclipsing numerous single-season franchise records that include breaking a dismal 100-yard receiving draught that dates back to 1989 (Robert Awalt).

Like second-year receiver Rondale Moore, it will be up to coach Kliff Kingsbury to maximize Ertz’s usage in a passing game that completely collapsed late last year. Despite his age, Ertz has shown no signs of slowing down and should remain a productive player well into his mid-30s (health permitting). It was because of this that so many tight-end needy teams were chomping at the bit to get a crack at Ertz come free agency. It also speaks to the lack of quality at the position, both in free agency and the upcoming draft. This was made all too evident a week ago when three NFL teams (Dallas, Cleveland, Miami) opted to use the franchise tag on solid, but not special tights ends.

Rather than do the same, Keim was aggressive in securing Ertz on a multi-year deal that will lower his cap number for the upcoming season compared to that of the tag. This will allow the Cardinals’ front office to continue their pursuit of roster upgrades while avoiding being hamstrung by the league’s $208-million salary cap. This number is expected to increase by nearly $20 million come 2023, in which having a Pro Bowl tight end on the books for a mere $10 million seems like a steal for Arizona.

Now the attention shifts to fellow tight end Maxx Williams, who has openly expressed his desire to return to the club. Given his injury history and modest production as a receiver, this is a deal that should get done for a fraction of what Ertz secured. In the meantime, the Cardinals can take solace in knowing that, for the first time in decades, the team will now enter a season with a plus-receiving tight end.

That’s the way to start NFL free agency here in the Valley.

Follow Johnny Venerable on Twitter