Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

49ers could have some key edges in the battle for free agent tight end Zach Ertz

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Nicholas McGee | Last updated 12/7/23

The San Francisco 49ers have naturally been publicly reluctant to say they are pursuing veteran free agent tight end Zach Ertz.

But, according to a report by The Athletic's Matt Barrows, the Niners are very much in on the three-time Pro Bowler.

According to Barrows, the 49ers are among "the most interested teams" in Ertz's services after the Arizona Cardinals agreed to release the former Philadelphia Eagles star from his contract.

Signing Ertz would give the 49ers a formidable tight end pairing. San Francisco's starter, George Kittle, is third in the NFL with 735 receiving yards. However, the Niners face stiff competition for his signature, with the Eagles said to have inquired about taking Ertz back to Philadelphia, while the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills have also been credited with an interest.

The Eagles would appear to be the obvious destination for Ertz, but the 49ers have several advantages as they look to win the battle to sign him.

The Bay Area connection

Ertz may have spent much of his pro career in Philadelphia, but he spent his formative years in the Bay Area.

He grew up in Danville, CA, just over 30 miles from San Francisco and then played his college ball at Stanford, the alma mater of both general manager John Lynch and star running back Christian McCaffrey, connections that carry weight when attempting to sign a player.

On top of that, Ertz's wife, retired two-time Women's World Cup winner Julie Ertz, played her college soccer at Santa Clara, just five miles from the 49ers' Levi's Stadium home.

So the Eagles aren't the only team offering a homecoming, and there's reason to believe the 49ers would look more appealing based on recent events.

Better Super Bowl odds

It's reductive to say that Ertz should pick the 49ers over the Eagles because of San Francisco's 42-19 victory in the rematch of last year's NFC Championship Game in Philadelphia last Sunday.

There will be plenty of other considerations at play for Ertz but, when examining the four teams thought to be pushing to sign him, it's difficult not to see the 49ers as his best chance of winning a second Super Bowl title this season.

San Francisco has most efficient offense in the NFL by Expected Points Added, Success Rate and DVOA, while a resurgent defensive effort since the bye has the 49ers fourth by EPA and DVOA on that side of the ball and 10th in Success Rate.

The 49ers are not only first in overall DVOA, they are the eighth best team of all time through 12 games by that metric.

Here we go... the best teams by DVOA thru 12 games, starring the #49ers #FTTB and #RavensFlock. These are all teams to ever have 40% or higher at this point in the season.

49ers are this year's best offense. Ravens are this year's best defense. pic.twitter.com/gA1t0pLdDI
— Aaron Schatz (@ASchatzNFL) December 4, 2023

Just a game behind an Eagles team that looks extremely vulnerable on defense, the 49ers look primed to mount a run for a first-round bye and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. They are the clear betting favorites to win the Super Bowl and, until they show otherwise, the Niners stand as the best option for any veteran looking to chase a ring.

Additionally, Ertz can have reason to believe he would have a clear role in their stretch run and postseason campaign playing in the game's pre-eminent offense, one that utilizes the tight end very heavily.

The most compelling package

The Eagles, Bills and Chiefs all use 12 personnel (1 running back, 2 tight ends) more regularly than the 49ers, who base their offense around 21 and 11 personnel.

But Ertz would still see the field regularly for the Niners. Backup tight end Charlie Woerner has enjoyed an excellent season as a blocker but offers little in the receiving game, and Ertz would likely immediately compete for snaps with the 2020 sixth-round pick in 12 and 22 personnel. The 49ers have this season run 12 on 13% of their snaps and 22 on 10% of their plays.

Beyond that, though, Ertz would give the 49ers a luxury for which they have been searching for some time, a backup tight end who can effectively spell Kittle without the 49ers suffering a massive drop-off in the receiving game.

I loved the play design on this pass to Kittle. The route combination created a ton of space underneath. #49ers pic.twitter.com/ooQL8UElHU
— Larry Krueger (@sportslarryk) December 7, 2023

Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan's ability to scheme playmakers open has been even more pronounced in an utterly dominant offensive season. He can do so from any personnel package, and Ertz can give the 49ers a greater threat from heavier groupings while individually benefiting from Shanahan's proficiency for getting his pass-catchers into space.

Ertz has plenty of compelling suitors, but the 49ers can offer a homecoming, a team that right now is regarded as clearly the best in the NFL and a role in an offense that will put him in a position to make impactful plays during a Super Bowl push.

The other teams in the mix are all contenders and might even be able to offer more substantial roles in their respective attacks, but there's plenty of reason to believe the 49ers may well be top of Ertz's list.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: