Former Eagles Super Bowl Champion Admits His Heart Still Belongs to Philly Despite Shining in Preseason With Commanders

August 17, 2025
Zach Ertz is enjoying a strong preseason run with the Washington Commanders, quickly establishing himself as one of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels’s most trusted targets. Yet in a candid and heartfelt admission, the veteran tight end revealed that his heart remains forever tied to Philadelphia, the city where he reached the pinnacle of his career.

At 34, Ertz has endured injuries, trades, and roster shifts since his iconic moment in Super Bowl LII, when his late touchdown helped deliver the Eagles’ first Lombardi Trophy. Now, with Washington, he’s proving that his hands and instincts remain sharp, reminding fans across the league of the reliability that once defined him in midnight green.

But Ertz didn’t hide where his soul still lives.

“I know I’m making plays here in Washington, but my heart will always be in Philly. That city, that team — they made me who I am. If life ever gave me one more chance, I’d wear midnight green again and fight for that crowd one more time.”

The words carried the weight of a man still competing at a high level, but who treasures the years in Philadelphia that shaped his career and legacy.

In Washington, Ertz has been a steady force. Through joint practices and preseason action, he’s emerged as a trusted safety blanket for Daniels, showing the same precise route-running and soft hands that defined his career with the Eagles.

Still, even amid his resurgence, the echoes of Lincoln Financial Field remain ever-present. For Ertz, Philadelphia isn’t just a past chapter — it’s home, and the place that will forever hold his greatest football memories.

Ertz signed a one-year, $6.25 million deal with Washington in March and is competing for a central role in the Commanders’ new-look offense under Dan Quinn. Coaches have praised his leadership and consistency, particularly as Washington develops its young quarterback.

But no matter how the story unfolds in Washington, Ertz’s legacy in Philadelphia endures. A Super Bowl champion, a three-time Pro Bowler, and a fan favorite, his bond with the Eagles remains unshakable — a reminder that sometimes, even in success, the heart longs for home.