On Tuesday, Antonio Gates, one of the best tight ends in National Football League history, retired at the age of 39. Gates played 16 seasons with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers from 2003 to 2018. Even though he did not win a Super Bowl, Gates deserves to be in the conversation among the best players ever at his position. Here are The Sporting Base’s top five tight ends of all-time.
5) Shannon Sharpe–An eight-time Pro Bowler, Sharpe won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos in 1998 and 1999 and another with the Baltimore Ravens in 2001. While playing in the NFL from 1990-2003, Sharpe had 808 receptions (fourth most ever for tight ends) for 9961 yards (fourth most ever for tight ends) and 61 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
4) Rob Gronkowski–A five-time Pro Bowler, Gronkowski won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots in 2015, 2017 and 2019. In 2011, he led all NFL players with 17 touchdown catches. Gronkowski had 521 receptions for 7861 yards and 79 touchdowns (third all-time for tight ends) from 2010 to 2018. Gronkowski’s popularity in Boston during his career was gigantic, and at times was just as significant as quarterback Tom Brady.
3) Jason Witten–An 11-time Pro Bowler, Witten played 15 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2017 and then again in 2019. He retired briefly, joined ESPN as their Monday Night Football colour-commentator, and then returned to the football field for another season. Witten is second all-time in receptions for tight ends (1215), second all-time in receiving yards for tight ends (12,977) and fifth all-time in touchdown receptions for tight ends (72).
2) Antonio Gates–An eight-time Pro Bowler from 2004-2011, Gates was on the NFL 2000’s all decade team for tight ends. He is third all-time in receptions for tight ends (955), third all-time in receiving yards for tight ends (11841) and first all-time in touchdowns for tight ends (116).
1) Tony Gonzalez–A 14-time Pro Bowler with the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons, Gonzalez played from 1997-2013. While with the Chiefs, Gonzalez led all NFL players in receptions during the 2004 NFL season (102). He is first all-time among tight ends in receptions (1325), first all-time among tight ends in receiving yards (15127) and second all-time in touchdowns for tight ends (111). Gonzalez was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.
