The move makes sense. The 49ers have long searched for a tight end to complement George Kittle, their All-Pro playmaker. Ertz could prove to be an ideal fit for that role. He played college football at Stanford and grew up in the region.
Longtime backup Ross Dwelley suffered a high-ankle sprain during Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles and will miss multiple weeks.
Best known for his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Ertz has been with the Arizona Cardinals since 2021. The Cardinals recently waived Ertz, and he went unclaimed, making him a free agent available to sign with any team.
This week, Kyle Shanahan was questioned about the 49ers' interest in Ertz. The head coach downplayed the possibility of adding the veteran tight end but didn't completely rule it out.
"I know John looks into all that stuff," Shanahan said. "I haven't heard anything about it now, so I wouldn't think so at this time. But I have a lot of respect for him as a player. I've always been a fan. But right now, at least from my standpoint, we're good with our group. But we have injuries, and things change, so we'll look in all options, as always."
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Rumor: 49ers among teams still interested in trading for Maxx Crosby
Could the San Francisco 49ers make a move for star pass rusher Maxx Crosby? The Las Vegas Raiders attempted to trade Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens earlier this offseason, but the deal ultimately fell apart after Baltimore backed out. The 49ers have frequently been mentioned... -
Maxx Crosby Trade: 49ers Reportedly 'Nuclear Hot'
Trading for Crosby to pair with Bosa would fix the 49ers' pass rush, but it's a bold win-now gamble counter to San Francisco's recent roster strategy. The San Francisco 49ers are "nuclear hot" to trade for Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, Raiders on SI reporter Hondo... -
49ers star Nick Bosa's contract ranked among NFL's worst
When healthy, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa remains one of the NFL's premier edge rushers. After a dominant 2022 campaign in which he led the league with 18.5 sacks, Bosa earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors and was rewarded with a five-year, $170... -
Three 49ers named among NFL's top comeback candidates for 2026
The San Francisco 49ers overcame significant adversity last season, losing several key contributors to injuries. Despite those setbacks, the team remained competitive down the stretch and ultimately secured a playoff berth. Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport attempted to predict...