Feb. 1, 2026, 4:50 a.m. ET

The lasting image of Zach Ertz in a Washington Commanders uniform was a sad one. It was December 7, and the Commanders were getting blown out by the Vikings in Week 14. Ertz took a brutal hit to his lower leg and was down for several minutes before being carted off the field.

The news was devastating. Ertz had torn his ACL, and his season was over. It was especially emotional for Ertz. At 35, there’s no doubt that Ertz wondered if the injury would mean the end of his 13-year NFL career. How did Ertz respond? Even on crutches, Ertz was back in team meetings the next week, mentoring second-year tight end Ben Sinnott.

So what does the future look like for Ertz? He’s a free agent in March, and after spending the past two seasons with Washington, his biggest advocate is gone. The Commanders parted ways with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. The good news is that Washington promoted David Blough to offensive coordinator. Blough knows Ertz well, having played with him in Arizona and spent the past two seasons on the Commanders’ coaching staff.

Does Ertz even want to play in 2026? After all, he could miss part of the 2026 season as he recovers from his injury. According to ESPN’s John Keim, at least one source indicated that Ertz wants to continue playing.

And while one league source told ESPN the 35-year-old wants to continue playing, there’s a good chance it won’t be in Washington.

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This is where we remind everyone of GM Adam Peters’ comments after the season. His goal for the Commanders was to get younger and faster in the offseason. It’s not lip service from Peters. After having the NFL’s oldest roster last season, he understands the Commanders lacked speed on both sides of the ball. That’s not a knock on Ertz. Washington loves Ertz. Jayden Daniels loves Ertz. Peters and head coach Dan Quinn do, too. So do his other teammates.

Ertz, like linebacker Bobby Wagner, helped establish Washington’s culture upon their arrival. Here’s what Quinn said about Ertz.

“He has meant a lot to our team, both on and off the field,” Quinn said. “He’s been an ideal teammate to help set a standard and about habits and so, we’re all bummed for him. I think you probably saw that just yesterday, and everybody kind of gathered around him.”

Ertz was terrific on the field for the Commanders, too, starting 30 games and finishing with 116 receptions, 1,158 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

Washington has three tight ends under contract next season: John Bates, Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff. All have specific roles, but none yet offers what Ertz does in the passing game, which means the Commanders will look to add a pass-catching tight end, likely in free agency.