Will Zach Ertz make the Hall of Fame? Here’s what the numbers — and history — say about his chances.
Ertz has a strong Hall of Fame case that could be strengthened by at least one more year of high-level play.
If Zach Ertz had retired after tearing his ACL in Week 14 of the 2025 season, he would have done so with a strong case to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Instead, Ertz intends to return for at least another NFL season, giving the 35-year old tight end more opportunities to build his case for Canton.
Currently a free agent, Ertz began his career with the Eagles in 2013 and spent nine seasons with the team. In that time, he became the Birds’ all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns by a tight end.
Ertz is arguably the greatest Eagles tight end of all time — Pete Retzlaff, an Eagles Hall of Famer and member of the 1960 NFL championship team, came in one spot behind Ertz when we ranked the best Birds of all-time in 2022. But how does Ertz’s full 13-year career measure up to greats from across the league? And what are the chances the California native gets into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Here’s a look at how Ertz’s career compares, and what another year could do for his case ...
Stats stack up
Ertz’s career statistics place him among the best tight ends in league history. His career total of 8,592 receiving yards is eighth all-time among tight ends, and Ertz’s 825 career catches rank fifth at his position. He is also 10th in career receiving touchdowns with 57.
Ertz tore his right ACL while playing with the Washington Commanders in December, but he expects to be cleared around Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. With another season, Ertz could potentially pass Greg Olsen and Rob Gronkowski in receiving yards. Ertz needs 91 to match Olsen’s career total of 8,683 yards, and 694 to match Gronkowski’s 9,286 yards.
Ertz could also move up the all-time touchdown leaderboard among tight ends. He would need three to match Olsen, five to catch up to Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, and six to tie Vernon Davis for seventh all-time. Ertz has remained an end zone threat in the latter stages of his career, catching seven touchdowns with the Commanders in 2024.
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Tight ends in the Hall
While another full season of production would build Ertz’s statistical case, the Hall’s selection committee is picky about which tight ends it lets in. Of the Hall’s 387 inductees, only 10 are tight ends. There are fewer tight ends in the Hall than any other offensive skill position.
Antonio Gates is the all-time leader in touchdown receptions by a tight end, but he had to wait until his second ballot to get into the Hall of Fame as a part of its 2025 class. Tony Gonzalez is the only tight end in league history who was inducted into the Hall on his first ballot.
A few active or recently retired tight ends, including Travis Kelce and Gronkowski, will likely expand the number of tight ends in the Hall as surefire inductees once they are eligible. But some — like Jimmy Graham, George Kittle, Olsen, and Ertz — will have to see if voters are willing to let more tight ends into Canton.
Ertz’s longevity and sustained production should help his Hall of Fame case. Of the 10 tight ends currently in the Hall, five played for at least 13 seasons.
What may hurt Ertz’s chances are his career accolades — or lack thereof. Ertz has not been named to The Associated Press All-Pro first team in his career, though he was selected to the first team by the Sporting News in 2018. He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
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Ertz’s lack of All-Pro selections is less of a knock on his career than a reflection of the talent at the tight end position at the peak of his career. Kelce and Kittle were the AP’s first- and second-team selections in 2018. But AP All-Pro first team selections can be a good indicator for Hall of Fame odds.
Of the 10 tight ends in the Hall, only Jackie Smith was not named an AP first-team All-Pro during his career. It is unlikely that Ertz would add an All-Pro nod to his resumé in his 14th season.
Ertz does have a Super Bowl ring, as he played a crucial part in the Eagles’ win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LII. He made seven catches for 67 yards, including the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Four of the 10 tight ends currently in the Hall have at least one Super Bowl ring.
Ertz vs. Olsen
If any player is likely to provide a test case for how Ertz might fare in the Hall’s selection process, it’s Olsen. Olsen, who retired from the Carolina Panthers after a 14-year NFL career in 2020, is one spot ahead of Ertz in receiving yards and touchdowns, but Ertz could surpass Olsen in both categories with another season.
Olsen finished his career without a Super Bowl ring, but otherwise has identical accolades to Ertz. Olsen was never named a first-team All-Pro and was a three-time Pro Bowler.
Olsen was eligible for the Hall of Fame for the first time this year. He was on the Hall’s preliminary list of 128 players for the Class of 2026, and was one of 52 players to make the first cut on the preliminary ballot, but was not included in the 25 semifinalists.
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While Olsen could be a useful comparison for Ertz’s chances, it could take a while to know whether or not Olsen gets into the Hall. After becoming eligible, players can be considered for the modern era ballot for 20 years.
If Ertz were to retire after next season, he would be eligible for the Hall of Fame for the first time in 2032. If Olsen has been enshrined by then, it should be a good indicator for Ertz’s chances.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is a diehard Eagles fan, and just like you, he’s got takes on the offseason, A.J. Brown, Jalen Hurts, and stadium plans. By the nature of his day job, however, he’s also ecstatic that Pittsburgh will become the epicenter of the NFL universe in two weeks, when the Steel City hosts the draft. It marks the second time in 10 years the Commonwealth has welcomed the marquee event. Which positions does Shapiro think the Eagles should address? How about whether the team needs to move on from Brown? Shapiro discusses these topics and more, including owner Jeffrey Lurie’s recent remarks about Lincoln Financial Field’s future, with The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane. Listen here.
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