At 35 years old, after tearing his ACL, most tight ends would be thinking about retirement. Zach Ertz is thinking about Year 14.

The three-time Pro Bowl tight end plans to play a 14th NFL season and is expected to be cleared right around Week 1, according to Tom Pelissero. Ertz is two months into rehab from a torn ACL he suffered last season, but he's not done yet. Not even close.

Let me tell you something about Zach Ertz. This guy has been one of the most reliable pass-catchers in NFL history. He ranks 5th in catches and 8th in receiving yards among tight ends all-time. He caught the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LII for the Philadelphia Eagles. He's been a Pro Bowler. He's been a cornerstone.

And at 35, coming off major knee surgery, he's betting on himself one more time.

Here's what people forget about ACL recoveries: the physical part is hard, but the mental part is harder. You spend months rehabbing. Grinding through exercises that hurt. Testing the knee. Wondering if you'll ever feel confident making cuts again. For a 35-year-old, those doubts are even louder.

But guys like Ertz don't make it 13 years in the NFL by listening to doubts. They make it by showing up every single day and doing the work. By betting on themselves when it would be easier to walk away.

Last season, despite the injury that ended his year, Ertz still posted 50 catches for 504 yards and 4 touchdowns in 13 games. Those aren't superstar numbers, but they're solid production from a veteran tight end who knows how to get open and makes plays when it matters.

The tight end position has changed dramatically since Ertz entered the league in 2013. Back then, guys like him - reliable pass-catchers who could run routes and find soft spots in coverage - were changing the game. Now? Every team wants an athletic tight end who can stretch the field.

But there's still value in what Ertz does. He's a security blanket. A chain-mover. A guy who understands coverages and knows how to sit down in zones. He's not going to run past linebackers anymore, but he doesn't need to. He's smart enough to get open without elite speed.

The question is: which team will take a chance on him? Ertz is a free agent, and teams are going to be cautious about signing a 35-year-old coming off ACL surgery. But there are contending teams out there who could use a veteran tight end with playoff experience.

Think about teams with young quarterbacks who need reliable targets. Think about teams in playoff hunts who need depth and leadership in the locker room. Ertz brings both.

He's not going to command a huge contract. Those days are over. But he doesn't need one. At this stage, it's about one more shot. One more season. One more chance to prove he can still do it.

You've got to respect that. In a league that's constantly looking for the next young thing, here's a 35-year-old veteran saying: "I'm not done yet."

That's what sports is all about, folks. Refusing to go quietly into the night.