Eagles sign Zach Ertz to 5-year extension

The Eagles got to work on their offseason agenda and it started by keeping a familiar piece of the offense in place.

Tight end Zach Ertz and the Eagles have agreed to a five-year extension worth $42.5 million. $20 million of the contract is guaranteed.

The contract keeps Ertz with the Eagles through 2021.

Ertz, a 25-year-old, 6'6" tight end out of Stanford, was drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft and was an instant fit with the team.

Ertz had 39 catches for 469 yards and four touchdowns in his rookie season in 2013. He followed that up with 58 catches for 702 yards and three touchdowns in 2014.

2015 was a bit of a down year for Ertz, who labored through hernia surgery early in the season. After missing the entire preseason and trying to battle through the recovery while playing, he turned in four excellent games to close the season and still finish with some of the best numbers of his career.

In his final four games of the 2015 season, Ertz had 35 catches for 450 yards and one touchdown. He finished the season with 75 receptions for 853 yards, both career highs, and caught two touchdown passes.

Ertz has played in all but one game in his pro career, missing one game in the 2015 regular season. Ertz also had three catches for 22 yards and a touchdown in the only playoff game of his career.

Ertz has been a big part of keeping the line moving for the Eagles, picking 109 first downs in his career and averaging 12 yards per catch.

The contract makes Ertz the fourth-highest paid tight end in the NFL, behind Jimmy Graham, Julius Thomas and Rob Gronkowski.

Kevin Durso is managing editor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.