Zach Ertz returns to Philly for the NFC title game as key player for Commanders

The thought invaded Zach Ertz's mind late in 2023 when he was out of football and a year removed from knee surgery. He wasn't ready to retire, but he was worried about something.

"Are you still the same player?" he wondered to himself.

Ertz not only showed he was, he's now one step from playing for another championship.

The veteran tight end returns to Philadelphia this weekend to face the Eagles in the NFC title game (3 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app) as a valuable member of the Washington Commanders' high-scoring offense. Either Ertz or the team he spent his first 8 and a half NFL seasons with is going to the Super Bowl.

"When the whistle blows, it’s not going to be about the nine years that I had there; it’s going to be about trying to make as many plays for this team as possible," Ertz said this week. "But I’m not going out there with a chip on my shoulder or trying to prove to people X, Y or Z. I’m just trying to go out there and be the best version of myself."

Ertz, 34, has been a darn good version of himself over the past several months, reinvigorating his love for football while playing for coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, whom he knew from his time with Arizona. Oh, and alongside rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, too.

"Obviously, playing with a quarterback like Jayden has helped a ton," Ertz said.

Daniels targeted only No. 1 wide receiver Terry McLaurin more than Ertz this season, completing 66 passes to him for 654 yards and seven touchdowns. The two connected seven times for 51 yards and one score over the first two games of the playoffs.

"Obviously, a tight end could be a quarterback’s best friend," Daniels said. "He’s seen a lot of football in this league, so (it has been