What are the Washington Commanders thinking about their tight end group?
Approaching the 2026 training camp, rookies are scheduled to report July 24, and veterans are to report July 28. A few days ago, we looked at the running back troop; today, we look into the Commanders tight ends.
Zach Ertz: The Commanders have made no official announcement regarding Ertz for 2026. Yet they could certainly have announced, "We expect Zach back, we want Zach back," etc. Ertz suffered a torn ACL late in the season (Week 14), and he turns 36 in November. Ertz has totaled 825 receptions for 8,592 yards and 57 touchdowns while averaging 10.7 yards per reception in his 13-year, 181-game NFL career.
John Bates: Bates was extended last year by the Commanders because they see his ability and effort to block. He caught only 11 passes in 2025 and, frankly, may not catch more than 11 in 2026. But that is not because they don't like Bates. He provides good blocking in both the running game and on special teams.
Ben Sinnott: If Sinnott can remain healthy in 2026, look for him to double his production of 11 receptions in 2025. The rumors are that OC David Blough will look to Sinnott more than Kliff Kingsbury did in 2024 and 2025.
Approaching the 2026 training camp, rookies are scheduled to report July 24, and veterans are to report July 28. A few days ago, we looked at the running back troop; today, we look into the Commanders tight ends.
Zach Ertz: The Commanders have made no official announcement regarding Ertz for 2026. Yet they could certainly have announced, "We expect Zach back, we want Zach back," etc. Ertz suffered a torn ACL late in the season (Week 14), and he turns 36 in November. Ertz has totaled 825 receptions for 8,592 yards and 57 touchdowns while averaging 10.7 yards per reception in his 13-year, 181-game NFL career.
John Bates: Bates was extended last year by the Commanders because they see his ability and effort to block. He caught only 11 passes in 2025 and, frankly, may not catch more than 11 in 2026. But that is not because they don't like Bates. He provides good blocking in both the running game and on special teams.
Ben Sinnott: If Sinnott can remain healthy in 2026, look for him to double his production of 11 receptions in 2025. The rumors are that OC David Blough will look to Sinnott more than Kliff Kingsbury did in 2024 and 2025.
3 months ago
