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There is no shortage of talent at the tight end position in the NFL.
Kansas City Chiefs standout Travis Kelce and San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle are now considered the elder statesman at the position. Each is expected to end up in Canton, where Hall of Fame gold jackets await them not long after they decide to step away from the game.
Tyler Warren made an immediate impact in his rookie season with the Indianapolis Colts. The position also features young players who 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 during 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 be successful at tight end. A three-time Super Bowl champion during his 11-year run with the 49ers, Jones said he is impressed with the talent at the position in today’s NFL.
Several tight ends put together productive seasons in 2025, with five players at the position racking up 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 you have the Kelces, kind of old studs … (players like) Zach Ertz (who) have been around for a long time. And then you have the middle-aged guys. I think George Kittle is as good as anybody. Then two of the up-and-comers … (Tyler Warren and) and Brock Bowers — he’s been a little bit healthy, but when he’s a little bit healthy, but he’s just as good.”
Pitts eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in his rookie campaign, but followed with a bumpy sophomore season that ended early due to injury. Pitts then had back-to-back years plagued by inconsistency. While he had some 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 on the verge of unlocking his full potential.
Kyle Pitts (8) of the Atlanta Falcons runs with the ball to score a touchdown in 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 couple of years and I’m like, ‘This is going to be the year … he’s going to break out!’ I’ve seen him in games where he’s dominant and then I see games where he’s just not used. I think I’ll have to be around him and the team, but I still feel like he’s on the edge. He will break out somewhere. It would be really tough if he left Atlanta and then suddenly broke out.
“I don’t know if it’s the scheme. I’m not sure if it’s the design or the offensive coordinators (who) haven’t used tight ends in their overall scheme. But that kid is just too athletic, too much of a specimen not to break out in some way, shape or form.”
McBride was the designated starter on this year’s NFC Pro Bowl roster, while Kittle was the second player selected to represent the conference. Kittle injured his Achilles tendon in the Niners’ wild-card round 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 in the first quarter during the game at Lumen Field on September 7, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
On the AFC side, both Bowers and Kelce received Pro Bowl honors. Pro Bowl alternate Warren has been tapped to replace Bowers, who was placed on injured reserve in December. Kelce pulled out of the Pro Bowl and the Buffalo Bills were announced as the fill-in.
The New England Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks on February 8th in Super Bowl LX. The game will mark a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX and the infamous late-game interception Russell Wilson threw at the goal line.
Patriots tight end Hunter Henry finished the regular season with 768 receiving yards. New England backup tight end Austin Hooper played in the big game during his rookie year. He appeared in 16 games during the 2025 regular season, collecting two touchdowns.
Seattle tight end AJ Barner compiled 519 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Jones believes the Seahawks could end up earning 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 watched him week in and week out in the NFC West, and my perspective is that the Seahawks will be this year’s champions. But the Patriots might have something to say about that.”
