Following the emergence of Trey McBride, fellow tight end Zach Ertz has requested and has been granted his release from the Arizona Cardinals, former teammate JJ Watt first reported on Thursday.
Ertz, 33, will now be subject to the NFL’s waiver wire. The Broncos are currently 19th in the waiver wire order, but some of the league’s top contenders such as the San Francisco 49ers (29), Baltimore Ravens (31) and Philadelphia Eagles (32) are below Denver.
If a team claims Ertz off waivers, that club will owe his remaining $2.5 million salary. The Broncos have an estimated $1.44 million in salary cap space, according to OverTheCap.com, so the team would have to do some cap reshuffling in order to make a potential claim work.
If he goes unclaimed on waivers, Ertz would become a free agent, eligible to sign with any team, and he would presumably prefer a Super Bowl contender.
Fans and pundits in Denver had mixed opinions on the Broncos potentially pursuing Ertz.
— Sayre Bedinger (@SayreBedinger) November 30, 2023
I know a team that could use a TE.
Ertz has more catches this year (27) than the #Broncos TE group collectively (25).
Greg Dulcich (hamstring) was back working on the side yesterday for the first time since Week 6, but Denver's TE production has been way down overall. https://t.co/YuS6VyUL7Q
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) November 30, 2023
I doubt the Broncos are going to claim Zach Ertz off waivers and he's looking for a Super Bowl Ring, so I doubt he picks them if he clears waivers.
I get why he makes sense on paper, but don't get your hopes up.
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) November 30, 2023
i’ll pass on Zach Ertz, Broncos already have one injury riddled TE, we don’t need another lol
— T (@TimContic) November 30, 2023
Zach Ertz is on the waiver wires, and Denver does not have a receiving threat at TE
It would cost the Broncos $2.5M
Should they do it? pic.twitter.com/NyXWTAkCnQ
— Denver Broncos 365 (@DailyBroncos) November 30, 2023
Zach Ertz will go on waivers, if a team claims him, he be due roughly $2.5M for the rest of the season
Broncos available cap: $1,441,140 as per over the cap.
Paton and the money peeps would need to do some $$$ juggling if claimed.#BroncosCountry
— GridIrn (@OrangeandBru) November 30, 2023
Expecting Zach Ertz to clear waivers and sign with a playoff contender.
Eagles, Ravens and Colts are the first 3 teams that come to mind.
Wild card teams include Broncos, Dolphins, Jaguars.
— The GOAT House (@GoatHouseNFL) November 30, 2023
If I’m the #Broncos, I’m putting in a claim for Zach Ertz.
— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) November 30, 2023
Now this would be a perfect pickup for Denver https://t.co/l0TOBbiZgF
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) November 30, 2023
Now normally I’m not that guy BUT…😂
If he’s healthy, wouldn’t mind if Denver kicked the tires, especially given how bad the TE group has been in the passing game https://t.co/NtQzaPmBFz
— Patrick Chiotti (@PatrickChiotti) November 30, 2023
Through seven games this season, Ertz has totaled 27 receptions for 187 yards and one touchdown. Should the Broncos pursue him? Let us know your take by voting in the poll below!
