When looking at who are the best tight ends of all time it’s important to focus on the era they were playing. By doing so we can get a more accurate measurement of their impact on the game. Let’s take a closer look and break down the greatest tight ends to play in the NFL.

10. Charlie Sanders

Picking the 10th-best tight end was the toughest choice. Charlie Sanders, the Detroit Lions legend makes the cut. The Hall of Fame tight end was considered one of the best during his 10-year career. Many credit Sanders for revolutionizing the position as he was one of the first great pass catching tight ends. Like many of the tight ends we see in today’s game, Sanders had a basketball background. This allowed him to use his athleticism to high point the ball and come up with acrobatic catches. Sanders was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007 and passed away in 2015.

9. Jason Witten

Throughout his 17-year career, Jason Witten established himself as one of the most consistent and dependable tight ends in the NFL. Known for his high football IQ, precise route-running, and reliable hands, Witten consistently produced at a high level. His toughness and leadership on and off the field earned him immense respect from teammates and coaches. Witten will always be a fan favorite in Dallas and should one day make the Hall of Fame.

8. Mike Ditka

Mike Ditka was the first ever tight end to make the Hall of Fame. As a player, he was a dominant force in both the receiving and blocking aspects of the game. Ditka’s physicality, toughness, and tenacity set the standard for future generations of tight ends. His contributions as a player and later as a successful coach further solidify his legacy. Ditka was one of the most influential figures in the history of the position.

7. Antonio Gates

Antonio Gates unique journey from college basketball player to NFL star exemplifies his exceptional athletic ability and adaptability. Gates seamlessly transitioned into football and became one of the most reliable and productive tight ends of his generation. Known for his basketball-like skills on the field, Gates utilized his size, leaping ability, and strong hands to create mismatches and consistently make big plays throughout his illustrious career with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers. He will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2024 and surely will make it in.

6. Ozzie Newsome

Ozzie Newsome’s consistent production and reliability made him one of the most respected tight ends of his era. Throughout his 13-year career with the Cleveland Browns, Newsome showcased exceptional hands, precise route running, and a knack for making crucial plays in key moments. His ability to consistently contribute as a receiver and a blocker earned him the nickname “The Wizard of Oz” and solidified his place among the best tight ends of all time.

5. Kellen Winslow Sr.

Kellen Winslow Sr.’s revolutionary contributions to the passing game set him apart as a true trailblazer at the tight end position. His exceptional receiving skills and athleticism paved the way for future generations of tight ends. Winslow Sr.’s memorable performances, including the legendary “Epic in Miami” playoff game, etched his name in NFL history and solidified his status as one of the all-time greats.

4. Shannon Sharpe

Shannon Sharpe’s remarkable speed and versatility made him a game-changer at the tight end position. His ability to stretch the field and make explosive plays resulted in three Super Bowl victories and numerous records. Sharpe’s impact as both a receiver and a blocker showcases the diverse skill set that sets him apart in the annals of tight end history. Sharpe continues to make an impact in the sports industry as a media personality.

3. Tony Gonzalez

Tony Gonzalez’s 17-year career is a testament to his unparalleled consistency and exceptional receiving skills. Known for his precise route running and sure hands, Gonzalez set the standard for modern tight ends. His ability to contribute as a blocker and a receiver, along with his record-breaking statistics, solidifies his position as one of the greatest tight ends of all time.

2. Travis Kelce

At age 33, Travis Kelce is showing no signs of slowing down. Kelce and Patrick Mahomes are the greatest quarterback/tight end duo the game has ever seen. Kelce possesses elite route-running abilities and the shiftiness of a wide receiver. With 2 Super Bowl titles already under his belt, the 8-time All-Pro tight end will no doubt be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

1. Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski’s combination of size, strength, and athleticism makes him a matchup nightmare for any defense. His ability to overpower defenders and make acrobatic catches in the red zone has made him one of the most dominant tight ends in history. Gronkowski’s rapport with Tom Brady resulted in numerous record-breaking seasons and four Super Bowl championships, cementing his legacy as the best tight end of all time.

Looking for more all-time great lists? Check out our top 10 quarterbacks of all time feature.

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By: Jake Rajala

It may seem the Chicago Bears will have growing pains this season, but let’s not forget the success that the Bears have tasted in their existence. The Bears have had numerous mythical ring leaders in their existence. With that said, I’m going to untwine the five best Bears head coaches of all time.

• George Halas

George Halas may have coaches in the days with black and white television, but he still orchestrated a lot of ass-kicking teams in his journey with the Bears as the owner and the head coach. He managed to win five NFL Championships with the Bears! Yes, you read that correctly. Furthermore, he was once the oldest person in NFL history to serve as the head coach (at 72 years old) — until Romeo Cornell was an “interim HC” with the Houston Texans at 73 years old. Halas was simply built differently.

• Mike Ditka

The bad-ass tight-end that turned into an ungodly TE, Mike Ditka, was a Titan-like figure as the Bears HC from 1982 to 1992. The Ditka and Buddy Ryan-orchestrated team went on to win the 1985 Championship. Furthermore, he was named the COTY in 1985 and in 1988. Of course, he wasn’t the greatest HC and decision maker with the New Orleans Saints after his tenure with the Bears.

• Lovie Smith

The king of the Tampa 2 defense, Lovie Smith, was a majestic presence for the Bears. He brought the Bears to their only “Super Bowl” appearance (although, they lost the big dance). Smith ousted a potent 81-63 record in his Bears tenure. In a somewhat controversial move, the Bears opted to move on from him after he held a 10-6 record in 2012.

Smith is the current HC for the Houston Texans.

• Ralph Jones

It may seem extremely unfamiliar for Millenials to hear the name “Ralph Jones”. Nonetheless, let’s not forget that he was actually a Championship winner in 1932 with the Bears. He only coached in three seasons in Chi-town, but he had three winning seasons (which included the ungodly 1932 season).

• Matt Nagy

I’m quite sure that countless Bears fans will want to crucify me for his pick, but Matt Nagy had a very impressive 12-4 season with the Bears. He also brought his squad to the post-season with Mitchell Trubisky in 2020 – which is honestly an impressive feat.

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By: Jake Rajala

The New Orleans Saints transformed from a team that resembled the quality of the film “Avatar: The Last Airbender” prior to 2006 into a Saints team that was as potent as the Avatar: The Last Airbender TV series with Sean Payton. The Saints went to the NFC Championship in Payton’s first season in the Big Easy. Most importantly, the Payton-Drew Brees combo won the first Super Bowl for the city of New Orleans in the 2009-2010 season. It’s not debatable that Payton (with his 152-89 record) was the best Saints HC of all time.

If Payton is a Mozart-like figure in New Orleans, the question is: who should also be regarded as a legendary Saints coach? Well, I’m going to untwine the four best coaches after Payton.

2. Jim Mora

Jim Mora did an admirable job in bringing the Saints back from the dead. Mora was handed the keys to a Saints franchise that had never ousted a winning season (yes, you read that correctly). He sadly held a losing record in his first season, but he surely brought fire to the Saints in 1987 — by leading them to a 12-3 record. Mora finished with a 94-90 record as the ring leader of the Saints.

Of course, it would be blasphemous to forget about Mora’s infamous post-game rants.

3. Jim Haslett

Jim Haslett didn’t have the longest journey with New Orleans, but he did lead them to the post-season and he impressively won an NFL Coach of The Year award in 2000. He sits at third all-time in Saints wins, too.

4. Mike Ditka

Mike Ditka might not be the world’s best GM, but he did have unbelievable success as an HC (and even as a player) “outside of New Orleans”. In New Orleans, “Iron Mike” went 6-10 in two seasons & 3-13 in another season. It may seem odd that he’s ranked fourth on this list. However, it should be noted that only a few coaches in Saints history have tasted success.

5. Bum Phillips

The Jessee James-like figure, Bum Phillips, didn’t exactly dominate his foes in New Orleans. Phillips never had a winning record in five seasons. Plus, his offenses and defenses were constantly below-average units. It was safe to say that old-school Saints fans, who liked to wear a bag on their head, didn’t expect their team to be able to quickly flip around with a new face (who would be Mora) that would take over.

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