Why the LA Chargers should not even consider trading for Zach Ertz
By Jason Reed
One of the biggest storylines surrounding the LA Chargers this offseason is the tight end position. Hunter Henry is a free agent after being franchise-tagged last season and the team needs to decide whether or not Henry is worth an extension or at the very least another franchise tag.
It is an interesting situation as the Chargers are currently not set up for a future without Henry. This is not the case of having Antonio Gates to pass the torch to Henry. There is not a tight end currently on the roster that can provide the same every-snap impact that Henry provides for the offense.
With other pressing needs, the team is not going to take a tight end early enough in the 2021 NFL Draft to instantly replace him and the free-agent options are not that great, either. Say what you will about Henry but he is easily the best free-agent tight end available.
There is one big name that could be a potential replacement for Hunter Henry: Zach Ertz. The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly looking to trade Zach Ertz this offseason, sparking the debate online about whether or not the Chargers should be in the mix for Ertz.
While Ertz is not a bad backup plan if Henry simply wants to sign elsewhere, I do not think he should be preferred by the team over Hunter Henry. While paying tight ends is a dodgy thing in the NFL, the Chargers are still in a position where they do not have to show their hand and trade draft capital for Zach Ertz.