Washington Commanders Tight End Zach Ertz Looks To Make History Against the Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs know what to expect tonight. The Commanders might be sitting at 3-4, but they’ve got savvy veterans and coaches who know how to scheme. You don’t just waltz into Arrowhead and expect an easy night, even when you’re the defending champs. But for Travis Kelce, this matchup means a little something extra. Sure, he’s locked in on getting the W. But he’s also pumped to reunite with an old friend: Commanders Tight End Zach Ertz.
“I get to see my guy Ertz, baby,” Kelce said on this week’s episode of “New Heights.” “Get to see him in the flesh, man. I haven’t seen my guy in forever. One of my favorite tight ends. Obviously, we came into this thing together back in ’13.”
The 2013 Draft Class That Changed Everything
That draft class feels like ancient history now, but it was a pivotal moment for both franchises. The Chiefs had just snagged Andy Reid after the Eagles inexplicably showed him the door. Meanwhile, Kansas City held the No. 1 overall pick for just the second time in franchise history and used it on Central Michigan Tackle Eric Fisher, who went on to have a solid eight-year run with two Pro Bowl nods.
Philadelphia countered by taking Oklahoma Tackle Lane Johnson at No. 4—a six-time Pro Bowler who’s still anchoring their offensive line today. But here’s where both teams really struck gold: the tight end position.
The Eagles grabbed Ertz out of Stanford in the second round (35th overall). Kansas City waited until the third round to snag Kelce from Cincinnati (63rd overall). Twelve years later, the 30 teams that passed on them are probably still kicking themselves.
Other tight ends from that draft? Tyler Eifert went 21st to Cincinnati, Gavin Escobar 47th to Dallas, and Vance McDonald 55th to San Francisco. None of them came close to matching what Kelce and Ertz have accomplished.
A Historic Monday Night Showdown
When these two face off on “Monday Night Football” (7:15 p.m. CT on ESPN/ABC), they’ll be making NFL history whether they realize it or not. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this game will mark the third-most combined receptions by opposing tight ends in league annals.
Kelce has hauled in 1,035 career catches. Ertz sits at 798. Together, that’s 1,833 receptions—a staggering number that puts them in elite company.
The Only Two Games With More Combined Catches
Nov. 23, 2017: Jason Witten vs. Antonio Gates (2,045 combined)
Gates, the future Hall of Famer, didn’t even catch a pass that day. But Philip Rivers torched the Cowboys for 434 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-6 Chargers victory at AT&T Stadium. Witten, who recently advanced to the next stage of Hall of Fame voting, managed seven catches for 44 yards in the losing effort.
Nov. 4, 2012: Jason Witten vs. Tony Gonzalez (1,942 combined)
Gonzalez, originally a Chiefs draft pick in 1997, was in his fourth season with Atlanta when they improved to 8-0 with a 19-13 Sunday night win. He caught four passes for 36 yards while Matt Ryan carved up Dallas for 342 yards. Witten had seven grabs for 51 yards, but it wasn’t enough.
Kelce’s Respect For Ertz Runs Deep
Watching guys from your draft class still balling out more than a decade later hits different. Kelce’s not shy about expressing his admiration for Ertz, who’s now in his second season with Washington after spending most of his career in Philadelphia.
“It’s just when I see the guys that I came in with in the league, and they’re still balling and they’re still making an impact, man, just gets me fired up,” Kelce said with genuine emotion. “And I know Ertz is gonna make some plays come Monday night.”
This season, Ertz has been quietly productive for the Commanders with 23 receptions for 229 yards and 4 touchdowns across seven games. Meanwhile, Kelce has posted 31 catches for 375 yards and 2 scores while helping Kansas City to their 4-3 record.
More Than Just Numbers
What makes this matchup special isn’t just the statistical milestone. It’s two guys who entered the league together, grinded through the ups and downs, and are still out there competing at the highest level well into their 30s. Kelce’s 36 now. Ertz is 34. In a league where tight ends often flame out early or transition to blocking roles, these two are still difference-makers in the passing game.
Monday night won’t just be about X’s and O’s or playoff implications (though those certainly matter). It will be about mutual respect between two competitors who’ve been doing this dance for over a decade. And if Kelce’s pregame comments are any indication, expect some genuine emotion when these two legends share the field.
