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There is no shortage of talent at the NFL tight end position.
Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce and San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle are now considered the elder statesman at the position. Everyone should end up in Canton, with gold Hall of Fame jackets waiting for them shortly after they decide to retire from the game.
Tyler Warren made an immediate impact during his rookie season with the Indianapolis Colts. The position also features young players who have had very productive first seasons, including Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, Arizona tight end Trey McBride and emerging star Brock Bowers.
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Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren (84) rushes in the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Robert Goddin/Imagn Images)
Brent Jones knows what it takes to succeed at the tight end position. A three-time Super Bowl champion during his 11 seasons with the 49ers, Jones said he is impressed by the talent at the position in today’s NFL.
Several tight ends had productive seasons in 2025, with five players at the position accumulating at least 800 receiving yards during the regular season.
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“I think it’s really exciting to see the position,” Jones said. “And there’s the Kelces, kind of the old studs…(players like) Zach Ertz (who) have been around a long time. And then there’s the middle-aged guys. I think George Kittle is as good as anybody. Then two of the new guys…(Tyler Warren and) and Brock Bowers – he’s been a little banged up, but when he’s healthy, he’s as good as anybody.”
Pitts surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in his rookie campaign, but followed that up with an uneven sophomore season that ended early due to injury. Pitts then had two straight years of inconsistency. Although he had his ups and downs in 2025, he put together a series of dominant performances en route to arguably his best finish since his first year in the league.
Jones praised Pitts’ talent and believes the 25-year-old is close to unlocking his full potential.
Kyle Pitts (8) of the Atlanta Falcons runs with the ball to score a touchdown during the second quarter of the NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 11, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
“Kyle Pitts… I’ve had him on my fantasy team for a few years, and I’m like, ‘This is going to be the year… he’s going to have a blast!’ I’ve seen him in games where he’s dominant, and then I see games where he’s just not used. I think I should be with him and the team, but I always feel like he’s about to do it. He’s going to escape somewhere. It would be really difficult if he left Atlanta and all of a sudden he broke out.
“I don’t know if that’s the plan. I don’t know if it’s the design or the offensive coordinators (who) didn’t utilize the tight ends in their overall plan. But this kid is just too athletic, too much of a specimen to not break out in some way.”
McBride was the designated starter on this year’s NFC Pro Bowl roster, while Kittle was the second player chosen to represent the conference. Kittle injured his Achilles tendon during the Niners’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Kittle was replaced by Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson.
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass against Coby Bryant (8) of the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter of the game at Lumen Field on September 7, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
On the AFC side, Bowers and Kelce both received Pro Bowl honors. Pro Bowl alternate Warren was chosen to replace Bowers, who was placed on injured reserve in December. Kelce withdrew from the Pro Bowl and Buffalo Bills was announced as his replacement.
The New England Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks on February 8 in Super Bowl LX. The game will mark a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX and the infamous late-game interception thrown by Russell Wilson at the goal line.
Patriots tight end Hunter Henry finished the regular season with 768 receiving yards. New England’s backup tight end, Austin Hooper, was in the big game in his rookie year. He appeared in 16 regular season games in 2025, scoring two touchdowns.
Seattle tight end AJ Barner compiled 519 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Jones believes the Seahawks could end up winning the franchise’s second Super Bowl title.
“Seattle…has the best defense in the league. I think Sam Darnold has been a great story. I’ve seen him week in and week out in the NFC West and my view is the Seahawks will be this year’s champions. But the Patriots might have something to say about that.”
