Zach Ertz Taking on Bigger Role in Improving Philadelphia Eagles Offense

Is it any coincidence that the Philadelphia Eagles offense is gradually improving as Zach Ertz becomes more involved? It certainly doesn't appear that way.

Ertz has emerged as a safety blanket of sorts for quarterback Sam Bradford over the past four games. The third-year tight end hauled in just 10 receptions for 114 yards during Weeks 1-4. Since then, his production has nearly doubled, with 19 catches for 200 yards in the last four games.

Ertz isn't merely being targeted more in the passing attack, either. His playing time has increased as well, as he's supplanted Brent Celek as the primary tight end in Philly's offense after being utilized as a situational player on passing downs in previous years.

According to charting by Pro Football Focus, Ertz played 63.0 percent of the Eagles' offensive snaps in Weeks 1-4. In the last four games, the rate increased to 83.1 percent.

	SNAP%	STARTS
2015 (8 GMS)	72.5%	4
2014	50.3%	5
2013	40.5%	3

Not surprisingly, the Eagles ground attack has benefited from having an extra tight end on the field. Philadelphia hasn't rushed for less than 158 yards in a game over the last four weeks. The offense only gained 280 yards running the ball over the first four games, compared to 693 since.

Obviously, the improvements can't all be traced back directly to Ertz. That being said, it's clear his presence is making a difference, even if his numbers won't blow anybody away.

Michael Perez/Associated Press

It was the type of impact many imagined from Ertz heading into his third NFL season. Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said via Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer back in May that "a big jump" was possible from Year 2 to Year 3. It was the type of statement that led many to believe the former second-round draft pick would have a shot to win the starting job in training camp.

Ertz went about his offseason preparing for such a battle, particularly working on his blocking. Tim McManus of Philadelphia reported that legendary tight end Tony Gonzalez mentored him, as did grizzled offensive line coach Hudson Houck—Ertz has done anything to become a more complete, three-down tight end.

As for Ertz's slow start in 2015, playing time wasn't the only roadblock. Surgery wiped out his entire preseason, making it difficult to show coaches the leaps he made as a blocker or build a rapport with Bradford in his first training camp as an Eagles quarterback.

Now at the season's midway point, Ertz is demonstrating his ability in both areas.

YR	REC	YDS	AVG	TD
2015	29	314	10.8	0
2014	58	702	12.1	3
2013	36	469	13.0	4

The Eagles already knew what a talented receiver Ertz could be. His 6'5", 250-pound frame and reported 4.7 speed, as noted by NFL.com, make him one of the more dynamic pass-catchers across the league—a matchup nightmare for linebackers and safeties alike.

Ertz is behind the pace of his career-high 702 yards receiving set last season, and he has yet to find the end zone in '15. However, you can see Bradford beginning to gain confidence in his tight end, as he's fit some passes into tight windows in recent weeks.

And the numbers will come with the increased looks. Ertz hasn't posted fewer than four catches in a game over the past four, while a guy with his kind of size can't be shutout of the end zone forever.

As for Ertz's reputation as a run-blocker, it's certainly growing with each game in which the ground attack thrives. He's no longer a liability in that aspect, which has allowed him to take on more of a full-time role in the offense.

That role just happens to correspond with the Eagles' gradually improving offense. Bradford and the offensive line deserve credit for the turnaround that's taken place over the past month as well, yet it's impossible to ignore one of the biggest changes the offense made with the introduction of more Ertz in the lineup.

Whether Ertz will ever develop into a Pro Bowl player—as many observers anticipated—remains to be seen. Right now, the Eagles will take him as an integral part of their game plan on a weekly basis.