Tag: Tight End

Nov 2, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) walks the sideline before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Report: TE Travis Kelce wants to keep playing, perhaps not for Chiefs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Star tight end Travis Kelce wants to continue his NFL career after 13 years with the Kansas City Chiefs and could be open to playing for another team, The Athletic reported on Sunday.

Kelce, who will be 37 in October, has been selected to 11 Pro Bowls and is a four-time first-team All-Pro with Kansas City, which drafted him in the third round in 2013.

He has been weighing whether to return for this 14th season in the league and has debated retirement for the past two offseasons. One new layer this offseason is Kelce is set to become an unrestricted free agent after finishing his two-year, $34.25 million extension this past season.

The Athletic reported that Kelce’s representatives are expected to talk with multiple teams.

Kansas City, while financially strapped by salary-cap issues, has been diplomatic in a wait-and-see approach with Kelce regarding retirement or another season.

“We’ve kind of prepared for either scenario,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 24. “We’re trying to position ourselves that either way, we have a plan moving forward.”

Veach said he would be meeting with Kelce’s representatives following the combine and “you need some sort of timeline and deadline,” but called conversations with his camp “positive.”

Head coach Andy Reid said he routinely is in touch with Kelce, who is coming off a relatively down year in a Hall of Fame career.

He had 851 yards and five touchdowns last season, but 76 receptions was Kelce’s lowest total since he had 72 in 2015. No. 2 tight end Noah Gray also is an unrestricted free agent.

“Travis is the best, he’s an icon and hopefully he comes back,” Veach said in the February interview. “We’ll just kind of let that process play out. It’s not your typical 27-year-old first-time-in-free agency.

“Travis has done everything. He’s accomplished everything. He’s about to get married, got a lot going on. We’re just going to continue to have positive dialogue and see where this thing ends.”

Prior to the 2025 season, Kelce admitted that he contemplated retirement. He also said his life has changed in some ways since he began dating the biggest pop star on the planet in Taylor Swift, to whom he is engaged.

Kelce, a three-time Super Bowl champion, is the Chiefs’ all-time leader in receptions (1,080), receiving yards (13,002) and touchdown receptions (82).

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; USC Trojans helmet on the sideline during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Mark Bowman, No. 1 TE in 2026 class, commits to USC

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Mark Bowman, the No. 1 tight end in the 2026 recruiting class, committed to Southern California.

The 247Sports composite also ranks Bowman, who reclassified from the 2027 class, as the No. 16 overall prospect in the nation.

Bowman plays at powerhouse Mater Dei High School in nearby Santa Ana. His commitment to coach Lincoln Riley and the Trojans on Friday disappointed other schools that had been in pursuit, including Texas, Oregon, Georgia and Ole Miss.

USC’s class is ranked No. 1 by the 247Sports composite. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Bowman is the second five-star recruit in the Trojans’ class, joining offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

Pepe is ranked No. 2 at his position and No. 6 overall.

The Trojans have 27 commits in the class, by far the most of any school ranked in the Top 30. Their West Coast nemesis, Oregon, sits at No. 27 with just seven commits.

Notre Dame is ranked No. 2 in the class, followed by defending national champion Ohio State, Penn State and Clemson.

–Field Level Media

Feb 26, 2025; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson senior forward Ian Schieffelin (4) watches a free throw sink near Notre Dame forward Tae Davis (7) and Notre Dame guard Logan Imes (2) during the second half at Littlejohn Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images

Clemson’s Ian Schieffelin shifting from basketball to football

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After 134 games in a Clemson basketball jersey, power forward Ian Schieffelin is changing uniforms. But not schools.

Schieffelin announced Friday he has taken Tigers football coach Dabo Swinney up on his offer to play tight end on his team.

The 6-foot-8 Schieffelin posted a photo on Instagram that showed him clad half in a basketball jersey, half in a football one, with the caption, “Next chapter.”

He wasn’t a major NBA draft prospect — an overseas team or the G League was more likely — so he decided to see where football could take him.

“I’ve been just training for basketball, getting ready for the next level,” Schieffelin told ESPN. “Dabo just walked me through the opportunity he was willing to give me, and it all sounded great, something I wanted to jump on. It really just sparked my interest in wanting to try, and being able to put on a Clemson jersey again was very enticing to me. To be able to be coached by Dabo and (tight ends coach Kyle) Richardson is just a huge opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

For the Tigers in 2024-25, Schieffelin averaged 12.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game last season. He started all 70 games he played in over the past two seasons.

“I’d never rule out me going back to basketball,” Schieffelin said. “I’ll see how these next six months go, see how development goes, see if I really like playing football. But I think this is a good opportunity for the next six months.”

Most famously, Antonio Gates transitioned from playing basketball at Kent State to becoming a Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end for the San Diego Chargers. Schieffelin told ESPN he spoke with Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo-Alie Cox, who played four seasons of basketball at VCU, about the opportunity.

Swinney apparently has thought about the idea for a while. In a news conference in the fall that coincided with the start of the college basketball season, he was asked whether Schieffelin could play football — a sport Schieffelin gave up early in high school. The answer was an enthusiastic yes.

“He could play tight end, D-end. He could play whatever he wanted to play. He’d be an unbelievable left tackle,” Swinney said. “I’ll definitely have a spot. We have a lot of rev share ready too if he wants to pass up wherever he’s going (after basketball).”

Schieffelin is in training and excited to see what the future holds.

“Maybe I’ll be really good, maybe I’ll be really bad. It’s something that was worth a shot. And being able to put a Clemson jersey on again is really special to me, and to do it this time in Death Valley is going to be amazing.”

–Field Level Media

Notre Dame guard Julian Roper II (1) shoots the ball as Western Carolina forward Colin Granger (32) defends during the Western Carolina-Notre Dame NCAA Men s basketball game on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana.

Panthers sign college basketball player to play TE

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Colin Granger doesn’t have any football experience, but the Carolina Panthers are taking a chance that the former Division I basketball player could play tight end in the NFL.

The Panthers announced the signing of the 6-foot-9, 235-pound Granger on Monday.

With this move, Carolina is trying to strike gold like the then-San Diego Chargers did when they signed Antonio Gates to play tight end in 2003. An undersized power forward at Kent State, Gates played football in high school but not in college.

Granger, a Georgia native, started his basketball career at Ohio University in 2020 and spent two seasons there. In 2022-23, he played at Western Carolina before moving on to Central Carolina for the past two seasons.

Gates will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, this summer after a 16-year NFL career, all with the Chargers.

–Field Level Media

Dec 28, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (88) attempts to catch a pass against the Denver Broncos in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Reports: Cincinnati re-signing TE Mike Gesicki to 3-year deal

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The Cincinnati Bengals are re-signing tight end Mike Gesicki to a three-year, $25.5 million contract, multiple outlets reported Saturday.

In his first season in Cincinnati in 2024, he caught 65 passes for 665 yards and two touchdowns — the most receptions by a Cincinnati tight end since Dan Ross caught 71 passes in 1981.

Gesicki, 29, played last season on a one-year, $2.5 million deal.

The Penn State alum was a second-round draft pick by the Dolphins in 2018 and spent his first five seasons in Miami, then played with the New England Patriots in 2023.

In 115 career games (44 starts), Gesicki has 325 catches for 3,526 yards with 22 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner (20) and linebacker Demario Davis (56) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Raiders’ Brock Bowers sets record for receiving yards by rookie TE

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Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders moved past Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka on Sunday to set the NFL record for most receiving yards by a tight end in his rookie season.

Bowers’ third catch on Sunday — a 13-yard grab late in the second quarter against the host New Orleans Saints — pushed his season total to 1,087 yards. Ditka totaled 1,076 receiving yards in 14 games with the Chicago Bears in 1961.

Bowers, 22, set the record for receptions by a rookie tight end earlier this season by eclipsing the total of 86 reeled in by Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions in 2023. Bowers had 101 catches entering Sunday’s game.

Bowers was selected by the Raiders with the 13th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

While with Georgia, Bowers was the first back-to-back winner of the Mackey Award (2022, 2023), which is given to the top tight end in college football.

–Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) greets Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) during Super Bowl LIV Opening Night at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Fantasy football: 2023 TE rankings; Travis Kelce alone at the top

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Not getting Travis Kelce in your fantasy football draft comes with permission to wait for the right tight end.

We’re ready to endorse a slight reach for Mark Andrews given his consistent production for the Ravens, and we might be able to buy into your affinity for George Kittle despite a string of injuries.

But waiting stands as the more likely strategy for a strong return than reaching with fingers crossed that this is the year T.J. Hockenson gets it done.

Here are our top 15 fantasy tight ends for the 2023 season:

1. Travis Kelce, Chiefs

A seventh consecutive 1,000-yard season came in a season in which Kelce had 152 targets. The Chiefs continue to feed Kelce in the red zone and scheme to spring him for big plays. Do it, and don’t look back.

2. Mark Andrews, Ravens

Andrews likely won’t put up another 100-reception season as he did in 2021 now that Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers are on the scene, but his targets aren’t likely to decrease as much as some anticipate.

3. George Kittle, 49ers

Kittle was on the receiving end of seven of QB Brock Purdy’s 13 touchdown passes during the regular season and the only reason to doubt that connection will thrive again is injury woes for both players.

4. Dallas Goedert, Eagles

With Miles Sanders gone, Goedert healthy and teams consistently shading help toward A.J. Brown, Goedert has breakout potential as Jalen Hurts’ security blanket.

5. Darren Waller, Giants

Many moons ago — ok, 2020 — Waller had 107 receptions for 1,196 yards and nine TDs with the Raiders. We’re betting he’ll be a threat for the Giants, who want to bring balance to a run-heavy offense.

6. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings

Traded from the Lions, Hockenson amassed 60 receptions on 86 targets while racking up 519 yards in 10 games with the Vikings last season. It wouldn’t be shocking for Minnesota to increase its percentage of play calls higher than 64.4 percent passes last season.

7. Evan Engram, Jaguars

The third-most targeted pass-catcher on the roster last season, Engram might see his total target share drop but the Jaguars should continue to look his way in the red zone.

8. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers

Too much is asked of Freirmuth to expect 100-yard games every week, but he’ll be one of the primary options when the Steelers get inside the 20.

9. David Njoku, Browns

Njoku had 164 yards and two scores on 17 catches in five games with Deshaun Watson at quarterback. If he gets Watson for 17 games this season, 50-600-7 isn’t a reach.

10. Kyle Pitts, Falcons

Pitts returns from a season-ending knee injury with a mixed bag of results. That includes 68 catches and some signs of a breakout during his 2021 rookie season. If he puts it all together, he has Kelce-type production potential.

11. Cole Kmet, Bears

12. Dalton Kincaid, Bills

13. Dalton Schultz, Texans

14. Greg Dulcich, Broncos

15. Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans

16. Tyler Higbee, Rams

17. Dawson Knox, Bills

18. Juwan Johnson, Saints

19. Gerald Everett, Chargers

20. Irv Smith, Bengals

–Field Level Media

Greer s Jaleel Skinner (5) picks up yards after a catch against Byrnes Friday, August 23, 2019, at Greer's Dooley Field. Greer Byrnes Football

Top 2022 tight end Jaleel Skinner commits to Alabama

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Jaleel Skinner, the No. 1 tight end in the Class of 2022, will play his college football at Alabama, he announced Friday.

A South Carolina native, he plays at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound Skinner chose the Crimson Tide over Florida State, Texas, Miami and Clemson. He said while his parents would support whatever decision he made, he knew he didn’t want to venture too far from home.

“I want to be the best,” he said as he made his announcement via the CBS Sports website. “That’s why I’m coming to the University of Alabama.”

This is a weaker-than-usual tight end class. Skinner, a four-star-prospect, ranks as the No. 74 overall player in the class by the 247Sports composite despite being the top tight end.

The No. 3 tight end prospect in 2022, Oscar Delp of Cumming, Ga., hasn’t announced his decision yet. Georgia is believed to be the frontrunner for Delp’s commitment, though Michigan reportedly is in contention.

–Field Level Media

Jan 13, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Tim Tebow before the College Football Playoff national championship game between the Clemson Tigers and the LSU Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Tim Tebow works out for Jaguars at tight end

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Tim Tebow wants to get back into professional football.

The former Denver Broncos and New York Jets quarterback worked out for the Jacksonville Jaguars as a tight end, NFL Network and ESPN reported Thursday.

Tebow, 33, starred at the University of Florida under coach Urban Meyer, who’s entering his first season as the Jaguars’ head coach. Tebow grew up in Jacksonville before enrolling at Florida.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that “there has been at least some discussion” of Jacksonville signing him.

Denver selected Tebow in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. After only lasting three seasons in the NFL with the Broncos and Jets, Tebow changed focus to professional baseball. He played in the New York Mets’ organization from 2016 to 2019, reaching as high as Triple-A in 2019, but announced his retirement from baseball in February.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner was a dual-threat quarterback who ran for 57 touchdowns over four seasons at Florida, while also passing for 88 TDs.

At 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, Tebow has a frame that could translate to the tight-end position despite not playing there at any point since high school. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is 6-5, 260, while San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is 6-4, 250.

–Field Level Media

Dec 27, 2020; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) catches a pass against Atlanta Falcons defensive back Kendall Sheffield (20) in the fourth quarter of a NFL game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Kelce sets single-season mark for yardage by a tight end

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Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce had 98 receiving yards on Sunday to set a new single-season record for a tight end with 1,416 yards.

He surpassed the mark set by San Francisco’s George Kittle, who had 1,377 in 2018.

Kelce also caught seven passes in the 17-14 win over the Atlanta Falcons to raise his season total to a career-best 105 and become the first tight end to have 100 or more catches twice in a career. He also recorded his career-best 11th touchdown reception.

Kelce, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, was more impressed that the Chiefs (14-1) earned the AFC’s No. 1 seed for the postseason and landed the first-round bye than his individual accomplishments.

“To get a week of preparation, a week of really locking in and getting the body right that late in the season is so key, and it’s much needed if you want to make that playoff push,” Kelce said after the contest. “That’s what you work your tail off for all season. I’m just proud to be a part of this team and be able to do it again this year.”

One player impressed with Kelce’s season accomplishments is Kittle.

“Raising the bar all year!!! Congrats @tkelce,” Kittle said on Twitter.

Kelce, 31, also topped 100 receptions when he had 103 in 2018. He is the only tight end in NFL history to post five seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards.

–Field Level Media