Then we have Antonio Gates. A basketball player who just decided to be a Hall of Fame tight end? Okay, cool. No big deal. Gates had that quarterback mentality in a tight end’s body.
NFL Power Rankings: 30 best TE of all-time
He scored 116 touchdowns—the most by any tight end in history. His chemistry with Philip Rivers was something else. It felt like Gates could teleport into space. Defenses knew it was coming, and they still couldn't stop it.
The knock on Gates? He wasn’t the run blocker Gronk was. He was a luxury, not a dual-threat. But when you score that many times, who cares if you can pancake a defensive end? Exactly. Nobody.
The New Wave: Kelce and Kittle
We can’t ignore the modern monsters. Travis Kelce is doing things that make you laugh. His route running is so nasty it should be illegal. He’s a wide receiver trapped in a tight end’s body. And he’s got the rings to back it up.
Then there’s George Kittle. He’s like a Gronk 2.0 but with better dance moves. Kittle blocks like a man possessed and catches like a dream. He energizes an offense like a toddler on a sugar rush.
Kelce has the stats. Kittle has the heart. But are either of them already the best ever? Kelce is closing in on Jerry Rice’s playoff records. That’s insane. But longevity?
