NFL History: The 25 greatest quarterback-tight end duos of all time

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 /

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Tight End Ozzie Newsome of the Cleveland Browns (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

The 18th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Brian Sipe & Ozzie Newsome

For 13 seasons, Ozzie Newsome was a Hall of Fame tight end for the Cleveland Browns. For the first six of those seasons, Newsome had Brian Sipe as his quarterback. Sipe, a career Brown, really begin to flash his talent at the quarterback position once Newsome joined him in Cleveland.

In six years, the duo played 85 games and combined for 331 catches, 4,317 yards and 31 touchdowns. In 1980, Newsome helped Sipe to have the best year of his career. Sipe threw for 4,132 yards and 30 touchdowns, earning himself the MVP Award as well as the only Pro bowl and All-Pro selections of his career.

A season later, Sipe returned the favor helping Newsome to have a career year. In 1981, Newsome had 69 receptions for 1,002 yards and six touchdowns. That was one of Newsome’s three Pro bowl years.

The two were unable to bring Cleveland a championship but they did make the playoffs in 1980 and 1982, losing both times to the Raiders in the divisional round.

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