Philadelphia Eagles Extend Zach Ertz’s Contract

By Cheri Cheng - 25 Jan '16 15:31PM

The Philadelphia Eagles and Zach Ertz have agreed to a five-year extension that is worth $42.5 million, league sources reported. The tight end will reportedly get $20 million in guaranteed salary.

Ertz started his career with the Eagles when they selected him in the second group of the 2013 draft out of Stanford. Since then, the 25-year-old has been quite the force. In three seasons, Erza has made 169 receptions for 2,204 yards with nine touchdowns. He also set the franchise's single-game record with the 15 receptions he made in 2014 at Washington. The 15-reception total is second on the NFL's all-time receptions made per game by a tight end list.

Ertz expressed his happiness to stay in Philadelphia via his website.

"Nothing could make me happier than knowing I'm going to be a member of the Philadelphia Eagles for years to come," he wrote in a blog post. "I love Philly. My family loves it. I love how passionate Eagles fans are about their football, how they live and breathe it. I put a lot of pressure on myself to be the best, and our fans want us to be successful as much as we want to be successful."

He continued:

"What I love more than anything is that fans here in Philadelphia are truly honest with you. If you're not playing great, you're going to hear about it. If you're losing, you're going to hear about it. If they're not happy, they're going to let you know. I have no issue with that. I know when I'm messing up, and when I do, I feel the same way they do. In life, you have to be accountable. You reap what you sow. When we're playing great and winning, our fans are the best fans in the world, and there's no one else in the league I'd rather play for."

Throughout his career, Ertz has proven to the Eagles that he is an athlete who is always looking to improve his game. During last year's offseason, Ertz worked with Hudson Houck to work on his blocking skills. Houck used to be an offensive line coach with the Dallas Cowboys. Ertz has sat down with Tony Gonzalez, who is a 14-time Pro Bowl tight end to talk about how to become an overall better player.

Under the new contract, Ertz will become the fourth highest paid tight end based on salary average and guaranteed money, according to a source reported by NFL Media Ian Rapoport. The three tight ends who have made more than him include Deattle Seahawks Jimmy Graham ($10 million), Jacksonville Jaguars Julius Thomas ($9.2 million) and New England Patriots Rob Gronkowski ($9 million).