Zach Ertz on return to Philadelphia: I’m not making it bigger than it needs to be

On By Littum

After spending nine seasons with the Eagles to begin his career, Zach Ertz will be the opponent at Lincoln Financial Field for the first time Thursday night when Washington plays Philadelphia.

Ertz, who caught the go-ahead touchdown to help the Eagles defeat the Patriots in Super Bowl LII, said this week that he’s not trying to make too much of playing in Philadelphia for the first time since the club traded him to Arizona midway through. season 2021.

“I mean, of course, everybody knows how I feel about that place— special place in our hearts,” Ertz said via Sam Fortier Washington Post. “Was there for a long time, nine years. And then it will be great to see a lot of people I haven’t seen for a long time. But at the same time just excited to go out there and play football. Short week, it will be good to get over the Steelers game quickly. And just the opportunity for us to go out there and show what we can do on a national stage. I’m not making this bigger than it needs to be. Everyone knows how I feel about them, so I’m just looking forward to the game.”

Ertz added that while he has played against the Eagles before, returning to his former stadium will likely be different.

“I’ve played them before, so I’ve seen a lot of the people that travel and are part of the football operation,” Ertz said. “But there are a lot of people I haven’t seen – people who don’t necessarily travel, some of the stadium people I haven’t seen for a long time. And of course I have friends in the team, but the team has also changed a lot.

“So, just to be able to go out there and play as a visitor – I don’t know what the reception will be, but I’m just excited to go out there and play football.”

Ertz may not be sure about the reception he’s getting, but one of his former teammates had an opinion as well.

“He probably will get a good reaction“, Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert said this week, via Zach Berman of AllPhilly.com. “Not many people have scored a game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl in Philadelphia history. So I’m sure they’ll be happy to see him again.”