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Every NFL Team’s Greatest Tight End Season - All 32 Franchises
In this ranking, we will identify every NFL team’s greatest tight end season of all time. We will look at several parameters to determine the representative for each team such as first-team All-Pros, Pro Bowls, yards, and touchdowns. Let’s dive in.
Arizona Cardinals: Trey McBride, 2024
In 2024, Trey McBride became the first tight end in team history to catch over 100 passes in a single season. McBride caught 111 passes and tallied 1,146 yards, which is the second most in team history, only behind Jackie Smith’s 1,205 in 1967. McBride found the back of the end zone three times (twice receiving) and posted a strong 10.3 YPR. He was also named to the Pro Bowl.
Atlanta Falcons: Tony Gonzalez, 2012
Tony Gonzalez set a franchise record when he brought in 93 passes during the 2012 campaign. This total surpasses his previous career-best of 83, which he tallied during the 2009 season. In 2012, Gonzalez tallied eight touchdowns, which is the second-most in team history, and caught 930 yards, which only trails Kyle Pitts’ 2021 total. During this season, Gonzalez was named to the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro.
Baltimore Ravens: Mark Andrews, 2021
Mark Andrews became the only Raven tight end to eclipse 1,000 yards in a single season in 2021. During this campaign, Andrews tallied an impressive 1,361 yards on 107 receptions (also a team-high). Andrews caught nine receiving scores from Lamar Jackson and posted a solid 12.7 YPR. He was named first-team All-Pro and became the first tight end in team history to see at least 150 targets in a single campaign.
Buffalo Bills: Paul Costa, 1967
Paul Costa sits at the top of the team’s record books. Costa tallied the most receiving yards in a single season (726) during the 1967 campaign. He found the back of the end zone twice times. He averaged a substantial 51.9 yards per game with 18.6 YPR. Costa did not make the Pro Bowl this season.
Carolina Panthers: Greg Olsen, 2015
Greg Olsen is the only Panthers tight end to eclipse 1,000 yards in a single season. Olsen accomplished this feat three times in his career, but his 2015 campaign was his most impressive. During this season, Olsen found the back of the end zone seven times (most among the 1,000-yard seasons) and tallied the most yards in a single season (1,104). He caught 77 passes and was named second-team All-Pro.
Chicago Bears: Mike Ditka, 1961
Mike Ditka set the single-season record for receiving yards and touchdowns during the 1961 campaign. As a rookie, Ditka tallied 1,076 receiving yards (only Bears tight end to eclipse the century mark) and found the back of the end zone 12 times (only Bears tight end to score double-digit touchdowns). Ditka was named to the Pro Bowl and held a career-best 19.2 YPR.
Cincinnati Bengals: Bob Trumpy, 1969
Bob Trumpy was named first-team All-Pro during the 1969 season. Trumpy tallied nine receiving touchdowns, which is the second-most in franchise history. Trumpy tallied 835 receiving yards, which is also the second-most in team history. He caught only 37 passes but showed a great ability to make plays downfield, especially with his stellar 22.6 YPR.
Cleveland Browns: Gary Barnidge, 2015
Even though Gary Barnidge sits second in receiving yards in the single-season record books, he will represent the Browns on this list due to his scoring ability. During the 2015 campaign, he found the back of the end zone nine times and tallied 1,043 yards, which is only second to Kellen Winslow’s 1,106 yards he caught in 2007. During this season, Barnidge was also named to the Pro Bowl.
Dallas Cowboys: Jason Witten, 2007
Jason Witten is the greatest tight end in Cowboys history and rightfully represents them on this list. During the 2007 campaign, Witten tallied a franchise-best 1,145 yards with seven touchdowns (third-most). Witten caught 96 passes, which is only second to his 2012 total, where he tallied 110 passes. He was named second-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl.
Denver Broncos: Shannon Sharpe, 1996
Shannon Sharpe’s most complete campaign was in 1996. During this season, Sharpe tallied double-digit touchdowns (10) and caught 80 passes for 1,062 yards. His yardage total placed him third-most in team history, and touchdowns placed him second-most in team history. During this season, Sharpe was named first-team All-Pro and finished fifth in Offensive Player of the Year voting.
Detroit Lions: Sam LaPorta, 2023
Sam LaPorta made headlines as a rookie. In the 2023 NFL season, he set a franchise record by tallying 889 yards on 86 receptions, which still stand as team highs. His 10 touchdowns also set a team record. LaPorta finished third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, second-team All-Pro, and was named to the Pro Bowl.
Green Bay Packers: Paul Coffman, 1983
Paul Coffman tallied a team-high 814 receiving yards during the 1983 campaign. Coffman also found the back of the end zone 11 times, which ties him alongside Robert Tonyan (2020). His 50.9 yards per game place him second in team history, and his 15.1 YPR places him fifth in the Green Bay Packer history books. Coffman was named to the Pro Bowl during this season as well.
Houston Texans: Owen Daniels, 2012
Even though Owen Daniels’ 2012 season sits third in the team record’s books regarding receiving yards, he tallied six touchdowns, which places him second-most in Houston history. During this season, Daniels tallied 716 yards with a solid 11.5 YPR. He was named to his second career Pro Bowl during this campaign and saw a team-high 104 targets.
Indianapolis Colts: Dallas Clark, 2009
Dallas Clark is the only Indianapolis Colts tight end to eclipse 1,000 yards in a single season. In 2009, Clark posted a career-best (and team-high) 1,106 yards on 100 receptions (also a team-high). Clark found the back of the end zone 10 times, which is the third-most in a single campaign. This was Clark’s lone Pro Bowl season. He was also named first-team All-Pro during this campaign.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Evan Engram, 2023
Evan Engram was Trevor Lawrence’s go-to option during the 2023 campaign. Engram reeled in 114 passes, which is the most in team history. Engram also tallied 963, which also set a franchise record. However, he was ineffective in the red zone as he only scored four touchdowns, which ties him for the fourth-most in franchise history. Engram was named to his second Pro Bowl at the conclusion of this season.
Kansas City Chiefs: Travis Kelce, 2020
Travis Kelce has had several elite seasons, but his 2020 performance narrowly came out on top. During this season, Kelce set a franchise record as he tallied 1,416 receiving yards on 105 receptions (the second-highest total in team history). The future Hall of Famer tallied 11 receiving touchdowns, which is just one behind his highest mark (12), which he scored in 2022. Kelece was named first-team All-Pro and finished fourth in Offensive Player of the Year voting.
Las Vegas Raiders: Todd Christensen, 1983
Todd Christensen set the franchise record in receiving yards and touchdowns during the 1983 campaign. Christensen tallied 1,247 yards and found the back of the end zone 12 times. His 92 receptions are the fourth-most by a Raider tight end, but he led the league that season. He averaged a solid 77.9 yards per game and was named first-team All-Pro.
Los Angeles Chargers: Kellen Winslow, 1980
Kellen Winslow enjoyed a career season during the 1980 campaign. Winslow led the NFL in receptions (89) and tallied a team-high 1,290 yards. He found the back of the end zone nine times, which is the seventh-most in franchise history. Winslow held a stellar 14.5 yards per touch and averaged a strong 80.6 YPG. Winslow was named first-team All-Pro this season and was named to the Pro Bowl.
Los Angeles Rams: Jim Phillips, 1961
Jim Phillips is the lone Rams tight to eclipse 800 yards in a single season. During the 1961 campaign, Phillips eclipsed the century mark as he tallied 1,092 yards on 78 receptions (led the league), which both stand as team records. He tallied five receiving scores, which ties him alongside several tight ends for the most in franchise history. He was named first-team All-Pro during this season as well.
Miami Dolphins: Jonnu Smith, 2024
The Miami offense struggled to find much consistency during the 2024 campaign, but Jonnu Smith was one of the few bright spots. During the campaign, Smith set franchise records as he tallied 884 yards on 88 receptions. He found the back of the end zone eight times, which also set a team record. This was the best season of Smith’s eight-year NFL career and he was named to the Pro Bowl.
Minnesota Vikings: Joe Senser, 1981
Joe Senser is the lone Viking tight end to tally 1,000 yards in a single season. In 1981, the West Chester product tallied 1,004 yards on 79 receptions, which is the third-most in team history. Senser tallied eight receiving scores, which ties him alongside Kyle Rudolph (2017) for third-most in a single campaign. Senser was also named to the Pro Bowl this season.
New England Patriots: Rob Gronkowski, 2011
Rob Gronkowski was an elite tight end throughout his entire NFL career. However, his 2011 season was by far his most impressive. During this season, Gronkowski led the league with 17 receiving scores (team record) and was named first-team All-Pro. Gronkowski also set franchise records as he tallied 1,327 yards and averaged 82.9 yards per game.
New Orleans Saints: Jimmy Graham, 2013
In 2013, Jimmy Graham led the NFL with 16 receiving scores. This mark also set a franchise record. Graham brought in 86 receptions (second-most in team history) and tallied 1,215 yards (second-most in team history). Both of these statistics were just behind his 2011 marks. Graham also posted a strong 14.1 YPR, which is the highest mark among Saints tight ends who caught at least 65 passes in a season.
New York Giants: Mark Bavaro, 1986
Mark Bavaro is the only Giants tight end to eclipse 1,000 yards in a single campaign. In 1986, Bavaro tallied 1,001 yards and caught 66 passes (tied for the second-most in franchise history). Bavaro only found the back of the end zone four times, but his yardage total earned him the spot on this list. He finished sixth in MVP voting this season as well as first-team All-Pro.
New York Jets: Rich Caster, 1972
In 1972, Rich Caster became the first (and only) New York Jets tight end to tally double-digit touchdowns in a single campaign. Caster found the back of the end zone 10 times and brought in 39 passes. He totaled 833 yards, which puts him second in team history, just behind Mickey Shuler (1985). Caster was named to the Pro Bowl during this season as well.
Philadelphia Eagles: Pete Retzlaff, 1965
Pete Retzlaff stands at the top of most of the franchise’s record books among tight ends. In 1965, Retzlaff was named first-team All-Pro and finished fourth in MVP voting. Retzlaff tallied a team-high 1,190 yards and 10 touchdowns. Retzlaff is the only Eagles tight end to tally double-digit scores in a single campaign. He also averaged an impressive 85.0 yards per game.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Heath Miller, 2012
Heath Miller set the franchise record in receiving touchdowns (8) during the 2012 campaign. Miller tallied the second-most receiving yards in franchise history (816), which is only behind Eric Green’s 942 yards he totaled during the 1993 campaign. Miller was a reliable target in the passing attack all season, bringing in 71 receptions. He was also named to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career.
San Francisco 49ers: George Kittle, 2018
George Kittle surpassed 1,000 yards four times in his career but set franchise records during the 2018 campaign. During this season, Kittle posted a team-best 1,377 yards on 88 receptions. However, Kittle only tallied five receiving scores, one of his career’s lower marks. His 86.1 yards per game is eight yards higher than his second-best campaign (2020). Kittle was named second-team All-Pro this season as well.
Seattle Seahawks: Jimmy Graham, 2016
Jimmy Graham stands alone at the top of the team’s record books. During the 2016 campaign, Graham totaled an impressive 923 yards (over 300 more than the No. 2 spot). He also brought in 65 passes (team-high) and tallied six receiving scores (third-most in franchise history). He averaged a strong 57.7 yards per game and was named to the Pro Bowl.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rob Gronkowski, 2021
Rob Gronkowski makes his second appearance on his list, this time as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. During the 2021 campaign, Gronkowski tallied the second-most receding yards in team history (802) and fifth-most receiving scores (6). However, Gronkowski was able to post these elite numbers in just 12 contests, which earned him the spot on this list. He is the only tight end in team history to average over 65 receiving yards per game.
Tennessee Titans: Delanie Walker, 2015
Delanie Walker holds the four highest single-season receiving marks in team history, but his 2015 stands alone. During this season, Walker eclipsed the century mark for the first time in his career (1,088) and caught a career-best 94 passes. He found the back of the end zone six times, which is the third-most in franchise history. Walker averaged a stellar 72.5 yards per game.
Washington Commanders: Jordan Reed, 2015
Jordan Reed became the first Washington tight end to surpass 900 receiving yards during the 2015 campaign. During this season, Reed tallied 952 yards and brought in 87 passes (also a team record). Reed found the back of the end zone 11 times which places him second in team history, just one behind Jerry Smith’s 1967 total (12). Reed also set a franchise record as he averaged 68.0 yards per game.
