glazeduck

We'll never know, so it's kinda moot in the end. I know Beane values relationships across the league, but GMs also know the game, they know how this all works. I can tell you if the situation were reversed, Howie wouldn't hesitate to lower the offer -- again -- IF we're truly the only team still in talks for Ertz -- another thing we'll likely never know for sure...

The decision isn't just "Ertz or no Ertz" in a vacuum though. We could sign Rudolph who's arguably going to contribute just or nearly as much as Ertz. Njoku looks very available, Darren Fells just got cut as will others... This is not a situation where we need to get bent over backwards, especially given Ertz' contract will need to be restructured and there's no guarantee (until he agrees to it) of what that number will be...

This is perhaps cheating, since it hasn't happened yet, but this would really interest me. Candidly, I'm 1,000,000% biased, but I think Marcus would do well in this offense and think he's got a lot of good football still to play. Backup QB has to be somewhat of a priority with the way and frequency that Josh runs. EDIT: Just signed Trubisky. Damn, scratch that...

While your point is not wrong, I think this is looking at it the wrong way (from my point, anyway)... It's one thing to offer a 3rd if we're competing against other teams for Ertz. I would still argue that's an overpay, but that's because I think his best football is very uch behind him. But if we're competing for him, sure, you throw out your best price. If we're the only one negotiating for him now that the Chargers signed Cook, there's absolutely no reason to keep the price the same. Lower the offer to a 5th and call Howie's bluff. If we miss out, it's not like we're missing out on an otherworldly player anymore -- this isn't Aaron Donald we're trading for here.

It better be or it's a massive overpay.

All depends on what the offer is, really. Ertz isn't worth a 3rd -- especially when you're the only team pursuing him via trade. If the offer was always a 5 or maybe our 3 for their 4, then sure, maybe you keep the offer as is, but the Chargers bowing out absolutely changes the negotiating dynamic. Howie has a history of taking what he can get, so no need to blink early. Call his bluff and sign Ertz after he's cut...

Mack: 0.01% Fuller: 10%?

At this point, some people are going to be disappointed if it's not a Bruce Smith clone, genetically modified to also play TE... If it was a superstar, more reporters than just Cynthia Frelund would be on this. That's my thing. IF it happens, it'll be someone between Ertz and Mack (though apparently recognizing that reality means I'm a grinch... 🙄)

Sorry, you're right. MUCH better to pretend we're getting both All-Pro lists. Let me know when the parade is, I'll be there. Sheesh.

My take on things: Those thinking its Mack are going to be disappointed. I think she'd be making a MUCH bigger deal about this if a super bowl contender filled arguably their biggest need with one of the most dominant players IN the league, who also happens to be homegrown talent. It's not Ertz, her comment seems pretty clearly in regards to the salary cap deadline and an Ertz deal is part'n'parcel to Philly getting under the cap. It's not McCafferey -- because come the F*** on people. It's not McCaffrey. Deep down you all know that.

Could also be absolutely nothing. Marv Levy lives in Chicago...

???

If you don't want Gabe Jackson then you REALLY don't want James Carpenter. There's quite a few names I'd add to this list: Rodney Hudson, Melvin Ingram, Patrick Peterson, Malcolm Butler, Sheldon Rankins, Baushad Breeland, Casey Heyward, Kyle Rudolph, Kyle Long, Malik Hooker to name a handful...

Absolutely, completely, amazingly unbelievable that we got something for Lee Smith.

Sure, that's a fair assumption to make, call me cautiously optimistic. But some on this thread are acting like we got Tony Gonzalez in his prime. At this point, I'm expecting Ertz to be a mid-level starting TE at best and, frankly, would be happy with that...

This is all I'm saying. He's not enough of a no-brainer anymore to not care about what the deal is before I just run through the streets naked.

Games played do not equal healthy, I thought every football fan knew that. Go watch the tape and tell me I'm wrong. The guy cannot separate to save his life anymore.

Sure. I'm willing to at least play "what if" with that, and he would be our 3rd or 4th target. So IF it happens let's see what we give up. If it's one of our top 3 picks or an impact player, for Ertz's lack of health and sizeable contract, count me as not a fan. If it's, say, our 6th rd. pick and Ertz will restructure, then by all means let's roll the dice. I just don't think 2019 Ertz is walking through that door anymore.

Age is extremely relative. Kelce's a better athlete, in better shape and very clearly has a much cleaner injury history. Go watch the tape from Ertz this year and the last few games of the prior year, the guy moves like a barkalounger now.

That was 2 years ago and he was the only one to see targets. Ertz is not a top 5 TE.

Top 5 by what metric? TEs named "Zach"? TEs from Stanford? Slowest 40? Highest $ paid per play? Sorry but Zach Ertz is a far cry from a top 5 TE anymore...

Always are -- will be exacerbated in this cap environment. Teams holding now should really get some great deals down the line...

I'd say 0% chance he's even there @62... maybe not even at 30, Eskridge's stock is climbing quickly and in a draft where nobody at the position (aside from the obvious ones at the very top) have differentiated themselves, he could easily go in the back half of the first if the right team falls in love.

They used the tag on Robinson. I don't know the particulars of how their contracts would/wouldn't fit, I'm just a fan dreaming over here. That said, starting Andy Dalton in what is very clearly a must-win year is negligent at best...

Call me crazy... But this has me thinking we might want to hold our cap space -- and maybe even make moves in the draft (trading back for future draft capital) -- to be a player for Allen Robinson and/or Khalil Mack at the trade deadline.