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Tight end Zach Ertz re-signing with Washington Commanders, AP source says

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Tight end Zach Ertz re-signing with Washington Commanders, AP source says
Sport

Sport

Tight end Zach Ertz re-signing with Washington Commanders, AP source says

2025-03-09 12:03 Last Updated At:12:10

The Washington Commanders have re-signed veteran tight end Zach Ertz to a one-year contract with $6.25 million guaranteed that is worth up to $9 million, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because the deal had not been announced.

Ertz, signed by Washington last March as a free agent, was one of Jayden Daniels’ favorite options in the quarterback's rookie season. He caught 66 passes for 654 yards and seven touchdowns during the regular season and had 18 more catches for 154 yards and a TD on Washington’s run to the NFC championship game.

The 2017 Super Bowl champion reinvigorated his NFL career playing with Daniels and for coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

Ertz re-signed just after six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner was also brought back on a contract for the 2025 NFL season.

The 34-year-old Ertz spent his first eight-plus NFL seasons with Philadelphia after being a second-round pick out of Stanford in 2013. He was selected to three consecutive Pro Bowl teams from 2017 to 2019 with the Eagles before being traded to Arizona in the middle of the 2021 season.

Ertz has 775 career receptions for 8,088 yards and 53 touchdowns in 12 NFL seasons.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

FILE - Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) looks on following the NFL championship playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)

FILE - Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) looks on following the NFL championship playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)

FILE - Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) stiff arms Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (8) during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File)

FILE - Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) stiff arms Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (8) during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File)

The first stage of Mohamed Salah’s rehabilitation at Liverpool is complete after the Egypt forward returned to the team for its 2-0 win over Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

The question now as Salah heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations: Is there a future for him at Anfield when he comes back?

Salah, who let rip last weekend about his current frustrations at Liverpool, entered as a 26th-minute substitute to a big ovation and set up the second of Hugo Ekitike’s goals as the defending champion extended its unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.

Also Saturday, Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 and was set on its way to victory by Cole Palmer’s first goal in three months. First-place Arsenal hosts last-place Wolverhampton later.

Salah held talks with Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Friday in an effort to overcome their issues and the result was that Salah was recalled to the matchday squad for the Brighton game. He had been a substitute for the last three Premier League matches before being left at home for the midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan as a punishment for his explosive comments to reporters last weekend.

“It was an easy decision to put him in the squad," Slot said. “I have said many times before what has been said between us will stay between us.”

Liverpool's fans demonstrated they are willing to excuse Salah for his show of anger and gave him a rapturous welcome when he came on as a substitute for the injured Joe Gomez midway through the first half.

By then, Liverpool was leading 1-0 thanks to Ekitike's rising shot inside the first minute and Salah showed glimpses of his class, especially on the counterattack. It was Salah's corner kick that was headed in by Ekitike for the second goal in the 60th, sparking another round of chants for the Egyptian.

Slot said Salah was a threat all game.

“Pleasing to see but not a surprise,” Slot said.

Salah could be away for more than a month if Egypt goes all the way in the Africa Cup.

It was a second straight start for Palmer, whose season has been blighted by a groin injury that has restricted him to seven games in all competitions.

There looked to be nothing wrong with Palmer when he ran onto Malo Gusto's pass and slipped a finish inside the near post to give Chelsea the lead in the 21st minute at Stamford Bridge.

However, Palmer said after the game that he wasn't at his best yet because he was “still dealing with an injury.”

“It’s just a matter of not doing too much too soon,” Palmer told the BBC. “Literally, it’s just a day-by-day thing. Hopefully it gets better.”

Gusto added the second goal in the 45th minute for Chelsea, which jumped to fourth place.

Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Chelsea's Cole Palmer celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Everton in London, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

Chelsea's Cole Palmer celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Everton in London, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool fans hold placard depicting Liverpool's Mohamed Salah before the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool fans hold placard depicting Liverpool's Mohamed Salah before the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, left, challenges for the ball with Brighton's Lewis Dunk during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, left, challenges for the ball with Brighton's Lewis Dunk during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

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