NFL History: 25 greatest quarterback-tight end duos of all time
![Sep 9, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrate after a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports Sep 9, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrate after a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/8f38761122e3722728816c6e50df691de3ff9d15e4cd67b2113086571cba0f14.jpg)
The 9th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Peyton Manning & Dallas Clark
Peyton Manning obviously had a special career and is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Every great quarterback needs a good tight end, and for Manning, that was Dallas Clark.
Clark was Drafted to the Indianapolis Colts six years after Manning. When he got there, he was plugged right into the offense and was an immediate contributor. With Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne on the outside, Clark was able to exploit the middle of defenses.
For eight seasons, Manning was able to connect with the sure handed Clark. None more so than in 2009, the year Clark had career-highs in both receptions and receiving yards. He was tied with Wayne as the team leader in receptions with 100 and finished with 1,106 yards. That was Clark’s lone Pro bowl season.
The duo made the playoffs every year they were together and won one Super Bowl in 2006. Clark was a key player in both Manning’s and the Colts’ success. In 104 games with Manning, Clark had 393 catches 4,535 yards and 44 touchdowns.