A tight end is a quarterbacks best friend. They’re a dependable, big target, with strong hands, and double as a safety blanket. When a quarterback gets in trouble, he looks to his tight end to bail him out. Whether it’s a pivotal third-down, or a quick pass into the blitz, quarterbacks are looking to throw the ball up to their tight ends.
Throughout the history of the NFL, we have seen many of these reliable relationships dominate defenses. Some of the games’ greatest quarterbacks have linked with the greatest tight ends ever to create a special connection.
To acknowledge the rich history of quarterback-tight end duos, we have decided to rank the 25 greatest. From the start of the NFL to the games currently taking place, we have looked at the production of a number of tandems and ordered them from great to greatest.
As the tight end position has evolved, modern tight ends have become more prolific in their abilities as pass catchers. However, that does not mean that the trailblazers of the past have been left off the list. The duos represented, span across multiple decades, and the accomplishments and production of their eras have been accounted for in their ranking.
This list isn’t representative of where the individual players rank all time, but just the duos as a unit. With all of that in mind, let’s jump into the list of the 25 greatest quarterback-tight end duos of all time.
The 25th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Craig Morton & Riley Odoms
The Denver Broncos have had a couple of quality quarterback-tight end duos in the history of their franchise. The first pair was Craig Morton and Riley Odoms, who played together from 1977-1982.
Odoms, an immensely talented tight end out of the University of Houston was drafted by Denver fifth overall in the 1972 draft. Taking a tight end that early was rare, it had only ever been done once before when Mike Ditka was drafted fifth overall. That was the highest a tight end had been selected up until this past 2021 Draft when the Atlanta Falcons selected Kyle Pitts fourth.
The Broncos took Odoms that early because they knew he was a gem. In three of his first four years he was selected to the Pro bowl, and he maintained good production with different quarterbacks over the first half of his career.
In 1977, Denver found his other half when they traded for 34-year-old quarterback Craig Morton. Morton, coming off a poor stint with the New York Giants, turned his career around with the help of Odoms. In their first year together, they went 12-2, leading the Broncos to a Super Bowl appearance.
Over the next six years, Morton and Odoms played in 67 games together connecting 195 times for 2755 yards and 20 touchdowns.
The 24th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Troy Aikman & Jay Novacek
When people talk about the 90’s Cowboys, it’s all about the ‘Triplets’, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and The Playmaker Michael Irvin. Rarely brought up is tight end Jay Novacek, and that’s really a disservice to his contributions. He was there for all the Super Bowls, was a talented player in his own right, and Aikman loved connecting with him. Unfortunately, the quadruplets just doesn’t have the same ring.
Novacek however, has three rings as he was a Dallas Cowboy from 1990-1995. In his six seasons in Dallas, he was a a five-time Pro bowler as he and Aikman often connected. Their connection was on display in all three Super Bowls where the pair connected 17 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns across the three victories.
In all of the two’s time together, Novacek caught 325 catches, 3,405 yards, and 21 touchdowns in 86 games. While he is often over shadowed in the team’s memories, he was a big part of the team’s and Aikman’s success. Aikman showed him plenty of love on the field, now fans must remember and make sure he’s getting his just due off the field when speaking about the dynasty.
The 23rd greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Alex Smith & Vernon Davis
The picture shows Alex Smith and Vernon Davis late in their careers together in Washington, but make no mistake, the magical days of this duo was in the San Francisco 49ers uniforms.
In 2005, Smith was drafted first overall by the 49ers and a year later in the 2006 draft, San Francisco selected Davis sixth overall. From that point on, the two became running buddies. In seven seasons together, six in San Francisco and one in Washington, the duo produced 254 catches, 3,298 yards and 31 touchdowns in 74 games.
The peak moment of this partnership came in 2011 when they led San Francisco to its first playoff appearance in nearly a decade. The 13-3 49ers added another memorable moment in franchise history when Smith connected with Davis for a game-winning touchdown over the New Orleans Saints in the divisional round. The moment was affectionately named “The Catch III”, alluding Joe Montana to Dwight Clark and Steve Young to Terrell Owens game winning touchdown connections.
They lost in the NFC Championship to the New York Giants, but they created a moment that will be remembered forever in the 49ers lore.
The 22nd greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Lynn Dickey & Paul Coffman
In the long history of Green Bay Packers football, of course there was a great quarterback-tight end duo. Representing one of the charter franchises is Lynn Dickey and Paul Coffman. These two played seven seasons together from 1979-1985. It would have been more, but Dickey broke his leg in 1977 and missed two seasons, delaying the start of their connection.
Once Dickey returned, he helped Coffman become one of the biggest stars in the league during their run. From 1982-1984, Coffman went to three straight Pro bowls. His career year came in 1983 when he caught 54 passes for 814 yards and 11 touchdowns.
1983 was also Dickey’s best year as he led the NFL with both 4,458 passing yards and 32 touchdowns.
The duo didn’t accomplish much team success having only made the playoffs once in 1982 where they lost in the divisional round. Together though, they did contribute 267 catches for 3,564 yards and 37 touchdowns in 84 games. Good enough to get both members in the Packers Hall of Fame.
The 21st greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Billy Wade & Mike Ditka
Younger NFL fans may remember Mike Ditka as the hard-nosed coach that led the ‘85 Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl. But before his Bears’ defense was wrecking havoc while he coached from the sideline, ‘Iron Mike’ was on the field for the Bears, causing problems for defenses as a Hall of Fame tight end.
In 1961, Chicago drafted Ditka fifth overall, the highest ever for a tight end at the time. That same year, the Bears acquired quarterback Billy Wade in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams. Wade and Ditka developed an instant connection that would help revolutionize the tight end position.
More than just a blocker, in his first season, Ditka caught 56 passes for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns. That early dominance won him Rookie of the Year. Ditka was also selected to the Pro bowl his first five seasons. For four of those seasons, Wade was his quarterback.
Wade had a favorite target in Ditka as he led Chicago in receiving his first three seasons and finished second in his fourth. In 57 games together, the two connected 242 times for 3,608 yards and 31 touchdowns.
In 1963, the pair led the Bears to an 11-1-2 record and won the NFL Championship.
The 20th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Ken Stabler & Dave Casper
This is the first duo on the list with two players already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, so you know their connection was special.
Stabler was selected by Oakland in the second round of the 1968 draft and it took him a few years to find his footing. It wasn’t until 1973 that he started majority of the Raiders games.
Casper’s story is similar, being drafted in the second round of the 1974 draft but not becoming a real contributor until his third season.
Once the two adjusted to the NFL, they were an unstoppable duo. Playing under legendary coach John Madden, Stabler and Casper connected on 279 passes for 3808 yards and 39 touchdowns in 106 games.
In their six-season run, Casper was selected four times for both the Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro. Stabler was selected to three Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team. The crowning moment for the two was connecting on a touchdown pass that helped Oakland win Super Bowl XI for the 1976 season.
The 19th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Matt Ryan & Tony Gonzalez
Tony Gonzalez, arguably the greatest tight end of all time, has multiple Hall of Fame careers in one. After cementing his legacy with 12 dominant seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs, Gonzalez asked to be traded to a team where he could compete for a championship.
At the age of 33, he got his wish when he was sent to the Atlanta Falcons. Waiting for him was second-year quarterback Matt Ryan, who was drafted third overall by the Falcons a year prior. The two quickly developed a bond that would mobilize a high-powered offense.
In five seasons with Ryan, Gonzalez had 395 receptions, 4,065 yards and 35 touchdowns in 78 games. The duo also fulfilled Gonzalez’ desire to compete in the playoffs, making three straight appearances from 2010-2012. The closest they came to a Super Bowl was the four-point NFC championship loss in 2012 to the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite missing out on a ring, the connection with Ryan helped Gonzalez to add four more Pro bowl selections to his already loaded resume. For Ryan, Gonzalez helped him develop into one of the games’ top quarterbacks.
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.
The 17th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Johnny Unitas & John Mackey
Another duo of two current Pro Football Hall of Famers, Johnny Unitas and John Mackey dominated the 1960s for the Baltimore Colts.
Unitas had already won two NFL championships and established himself as one of the best quarterbacks ever when Mackey was drafted by Baltimore in 1963. In the middle of an 11-year run of making either a Pro bowl or the All-Pro team, Unitas welcomed Mackey and quickly showed him the ropes to success.
In Mackey’s rookie season, he was selected to the Pro bowl after catching 35 passes for 726 yards and seven touchdowns. He would go on to play in four more Pro bowls and made three All-Pro teams during his time with Unitas.
The Colts were on of the leagues best teams year in and year out. The duo of Unitas and Mackey led Baltimore to an NFL Championship in 1968 as well as a victory in Super Bowl V for the 1970 season. In total, they played nine years together and connected 280 times for 4,554 yards and 35 touchdowns in 111 games.
The 16th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Jim Hart & Jackie Smith
There was once a time when the St. Louis Cardinals referred to a Major League Baseball team and an NFL team. That time was from 1960-1987, when the team that is now the Arizona Cardinals called St. Louis home.
For majority of that time, the football Cardinals had an amazing quarterback-tight end duo in Jim Hart and Hall of Fame tight end Jackie Smith. Smith played for St. Louis from 1963-1977. He was joined by Hart in 1966 and they remained together until Smith’s first retirement in ‘77.
While Smith was good in his first three years, he really unlocked his full ability when Hart became his quarterback. Starting in 1966, Smith went to five consecutive Pro bowls. His best season was in 1967, Hart’s first full year as starter, when he caught 56 passes for 1,205 yards and nine touchdowns.
While Hart was still a young quarterback in the late ‘60s, Smith helped him develop into one of the leagues best during the ‘70s. From 1974-1977, Hart went to four straight Pro bowls.
The duo’s best years in terms of team success came from 1974-1976 when they went a combined 31-11 making two playoff appearances. In their total time together, 124 games, they produced 278 catches, 4,664 yards and 29 touchdowns.
The 15th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Sonny Jurgensen & Jerry Smith
In the 1960s, Sonny Jurgensen strung together a number of years that would put him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as an all-time great quarterback. During that decade, he had the privilege of playing with tight end Jerry Smith. Together, they were special for Washington.
Jurgensen arrived in Washington in 1964, with Smith showing up a year later. They would remain teammates until Jurgensen retired in 1974. In their time together, they achieved many great individual accolades.
Jurgensen made three Pro bowls, led the league in passing touchdowns in 1967, and was three-time passing yards leader (‘66,’67,’69). Meanwhile, Smith was a two-time Pro bowler and retired as the record holder for most touchdowns as a tight end with 60.
Jurgensen started having injury troubles later in his career and was unable to contribute much when Washington developed into a contending team. He was sidelined most of 1972 when Washington made a Super Bowl appearance. Despite that unfortunate fate, that era of Washington football is remembered for the Jurgensen-Smith duo and their 354 catches, 4,565 yards and 50 touchdowns in 113 games.
The 14th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Bill Munson / Greg Landry & Charlie Sanders
Ok, that’s not a duo. But like many relationships, sometimes things get complicated. The football field is no different. Things got a bit complicated for the Detroit Lions in the 1970s…and every other decade.
What wasn’t complicated was Hall of Fame tight end Charlie Sanders. He played his entire 10-year career in Detroit from 1968-1977 and was the ace of the trio ranked No. 14 on this list.
The reason this is the lone exception of three players on a list of the greatest duos is because while Sanders was sturdy in his dominance at tight end, things were shaky at the quarterback position as the Lions rotated Bill Munson and Greg Landry.
All three players arrived in Detroit in 1968, Munson by trade, Landry and Sanders by draft. They all remained teammates until 1976, when Munson was traded. In the eight seasons together, Munson saw action in 60 games, starting 48 while Landry played in 72 games but started 56. It was truly a two-headed quarterback system that probably couldn’t be pulled off in today’s age of media.
No matter who was at the quarterback position, they had a reliable target is Sanders. In his time playing with either Munson or Landry, Sanders recorded 336 catches, 4,817 yards and 31 touchdowns in 128 games. He was selected to a total of seven Pro bowls.
The trios’ best season came in 1970 when they made the playoffs with a 10-4 record. They loss in the divisional round to the Dallas Cowboys.
The 13th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Drew Brees & Jimmy Graham
Drew Brees, the former New Orleans Saint, is one of the greatest quarterbacks of this past era. Throughout his time with the Saints, he set all type of passing records. In 2009, he led New Orleans to a Super Bowl victory. To reward him, the Saints took a gamble on a former basketball player and gifted Brees one of the most dynamic teammates of his career.
That teammate was Jimmy Graham, joining the Saints in 2010 with only one year of football experience. After a rookie season that saw Graham still learning the game behind veteran Jeremy Shockey, Graham exploded in his second year. He caught 99 passes for 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns.
It was clear that Brees had a new favorite target. Turns out, Graham’s four years of college basketball did wonders for his transition to football. He made himself an easy target by boxing defenders out and exploding up to get any ball Brees threw.
Proving himself to be dependable, the accurate Brees frequently connected with him over their five seasons together. In just 78 games, they connected 386 times for 4,752 yards and 51 touchdowns. Brees made the Pro bowl every year of their five seasons together, with Graham joining him three times.
Unfortunately, the duo was unable to bring New Orleans another Super Bowl as they suffered consecutive playoff heartbreaks. They did bring a ton of excitement though before Graham was traded away.
The 12th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Drew Bledsoe & Ben Coates
A great New England Patriots quarterback-tight end duo and it’s not the one you’re thinking of. Often times, Drew Bledsoe’s career is reduced to the quarterback who got hurt and opened the door for Tom Brady, but it was so much more. Bledsoe had his own good career and his own elite tight end in Ben Coates.
When Bledsoe was drafted as the No. 1 overall pick in 1993, Coates was entering his third season and hadn’t quite figured out how to excel at the NFL game yet. Pairing with Bledsoe, the duo quickly learned how to dominate. By their second season together, 1994, both had developed into stars.
Bledsoe led the league in passing with 4,555 yards while Coates hauled in 96 passes for 1,174 yards and seven touchdowns. More importantly for New England, they took a franchise that had won only two games two seasons ago, to the playoffs. That was the Patriots first playoff appearance in eight years. Two years later in 1996, the duo of Bledsoe and Coates led New England to a Super Bowl appearance.
Bledsoe and Coates were just special together. In 104 games, they connected for 441 catches, 4,962 yards and 46 touchdowns, helping to get the Patriots franchise back on track.
The 11th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Marc Wilson & Todd Christensen
Marc Wilson and Todd Christensen make up the second Raider duo on this list. When the 20th ranked Ken Stabler and Dave Casper wrapped up their work to end the 1970s, Wilson and Christensen picked up where they left off to dominate the 1980s.
These two became teammates in 1980, but it took them some time to get in rhythm. It wasn’t until 1983 that the two really showed potential as a duo. That season, Christensen led the NFL with 92 receptions while adding 1,247 yards and 12 touchdowns. That was also the year he was selected to his first of five consecutive Pro bowls.
Wilson, who battled many injuries during their time together, best season came in 1985 when he led the Raiders to a 12-4 record throwing 2,608 yards and 16 touchdowns, six of them to Christensen.
In total they connected 388 times for 5,004 yards and 36 touchdowns in 93 games. The duo also has two Super Bowl rings (1980, 1983), unfortunately, Wilson was a backup for the first one and injured for the second.
The 10th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are one of two active duos on the list. They crack the top 10 after just 50 games together, and that is because they are accomplishing things at an astronomical pace.
In three and a half seasons together, they have already connected 324 times for 4,225 yards and 30 touchdowns, again, in just 50 games. Kelce has put together five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, an NFL record for tight ends. Mahomes was throwing him the ball the last three years of that streak and they look to extend it this season.
The pair has already been to three straight AFC championships, two straight Super Bowls and won one. In the three full seasons that they have both started, Mahomes and Kelce have been selected to the Pro bowl each year. Mahomes has also won a regular season MVP.
As dominant as they have already been, they are just getting started. Both men recently just signed big contracts that keep them as teammates until at least 2025. It is extremely unlikely that they break up then or that one of them demands a trade beforehand. When this list is written sometime next decade, it is likely that Mahomes and Kelce will sit comfortably at No. 1.
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.
The 8th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Trent Green & Tony Gonzalez
Kansas City has a thing for drafting great tight ends. This is Tony Gonzalez’ second pairing on the list, and it’s fitting for the tight end who played elite football for nearly two decades. Throughout his career, he played with a few different quarterbacks, but the one he had his best era with was Trent Green.
The Kansas City Chiefs traded for Green to fill a hole at the quarterback spot so the talented Gonzalez wouldn’t go to waste. After struggling some in year one, throwing a league leading 24 interceptions, Green steadily improved to the point that he and Gonzalez is 9th on this list.
In 2003, Green was able to join Gonzalez at the Pro bowl for the first time, after throwing 4,039 yards, 24 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions. During that season, the duo led the Chiefs to a 13-3 record and Kansas City’s first playoff appearance in six years.
In six seasons with Green, Gonzalez had the most productive stretch of his career catching 426 passes for 5,162 yards and 35 touchdowns in 87 games together. Gonzalez went to the Pro bowl every year during that run with Green joining him twice. That was the only bowl they were experiencing as they made the playoffs just twice losing their first game both times.
The 7th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Cam Newton & Greg Olsen
Cam Newton is one of the most dynamic and polarizing players of the last decade. One of the unfortunate things about his career is that he never played with a true number one receiver for an extended period of time. He had Steve Smith in his first three seasons, but outside of that, it was just working with what he had. What he did have was a trustworthy tight end in Greg Olsen. Together, they were able to bring the best out in each other.
Arriving to the Carolina Panthers together in 2011, Newton by draft and Olsen by trade, they were tasked with turning a 2-14 team around. In their second and third year together, Newton helped Olsen get over 800 receiving yards each season, something he had never done before. That was only the start.
After Smith departed from Carolina, Olsen became Newton’s go-to-guy and that’s when the connection got special. From 2014-2016, Olsen had three-consecutive 1,000 yard seasons, a tight end record at the time.
The peak moment for this duo was in 2015. Olsen had his career high in receiving yards with 1,104, Newton had his career high in combined touchdowns with 45, while also winning MVP and the franchise that they were tasked with turning around finished the season 15-1 with a Super Bowl appearance.
In total, they took the Panthers to four playoffs while connecting 455 times for 5,638 yards and and 36 touchdowns in 111 games.
The 6th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Ben Roethlisberger & Heath Miller
Ben Roethlisberger has had his fair share of quality pass catchers. Majority of them have been at the wide receiver position, but he had a pretty good tight end in Heath Miller.
Arriving to the Pittsburgh Steelers a year apart, Roethlisberger in 2004, Miller in 2005, the two had an instant connection as Miller caught 39 passes in his rookie season for 459 yards and six touchdowns as the Steelers went on to win a Super Bowl. Those numbers would only improve throughout their time together.
Playing in the gritty AFC North, Miller was a perfect weapon for Roethlisberger. He would block and go make tough catches across the middle of the field. In his career, Miller made two pro bowls while Roethlisberger went to four in their time together.
The connection between the two played a big role in the Steelers making the playoffs six times in their 11 years as teammates. They played in three Super Bowls and won two and connected a total 545 times for 5,974 yards and 42 touchdowns in 149 games.
The 5th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Dan Fouts & Kellen Winslow
Dan Fouts is a Hall of Fame quarterback and Kellen Winslow is a Hall of Fame tight end and the truth is, they probably couldn’t have got to Canton without each other.
Fouts was drafted to the San Diego Chargers in 1973 and was playing mediocre football the six seasons before Winslow showed up. When Winslow was drafted by the Chargers in 1979, something clicked for Fouts and the two begin to do something special in San Diego.
Starting in 1979, Fouts would lead the NFL in passing yards for four years straight. Two of those years he also led in passing touchdowns. That led to him going to five straight Pro Bowls.
While doing that, Winslow was one of his favorite targets. In 1980 and 1981, Winslow led the league with receptions while putting together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. From 1980-1983, Winslow went to four straight Pro bowls.
From 1979-1982, the Chargers were one of the league’s best teams going to four straight postseasons, with back-to-back Conference Championship appearances. While they were unable to get over the hump and make a Super Bowl, the duo is responsible for one of the most memorable playoff moments in NFL history by winning the “Epic in Miami.” A long, hot, back-and-forth playoff game, that is sometimes referred to as “Kellen Winslow Game”, Winslow willed the Chargers to a victory with 13 receptions, 166 yards, a touchdown and a blocked field goal.
Fouts and Winslow played together from Winslow’s rookie year in 1979 until they both retired after the 1987 season. In total, they played 98 games and connected 492 times for 6,156 yards and 44 touchdowns.
The 4th greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: John Elway & Shannon Sharpe
Another pair of current Hall of Famers, John Elway and Shannon Sharpe are easily the most memorable quarterback-tight end duo whose run was before the 2000s and that is for good reason. Together, they were electric, fun, dominant and had amazing chemistry.
Elway had already proven himself as a talented quarterback in the 1980s winning the MVP award in ‘87. When Sharpe arrived in 1990, they were able to take things to another level reaching new heights in Elway’s career.
By Sharpe’s fourth season, Elway was leading the league in passing yards, something he had never done before, and Sharpe was a big reason why. He was both a fast and physical tight end that would go across the middle and stretch you in the seams. From 1992-1998, Sharpe went to seven straight Pro bowls and tallied three 1,000 yard seasons.
Having made the playoffs in ‘91, ‘93 and ‘96, it wasn’t until the late ‘90s that the explosive duo achieved the ultimate accomplishment. In 1997, the pair won their first Super Bowl and repeated in 1998.
After the second Super Bowl, Elway decided to call it a career, ending the duo. Together, they produced 486 catches, 6,301 yards and 41 touchdowns in 129 games. With the rings and individual accolades, the reason they are 4th on the list is because the three duos left were more productive as a pair.
The 3rd greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Tony Romo & Jason Witten
America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys, produced the 3rd greatest quarterback-tight end duo of all-time in Tony Romo and Jason Witten.
Witten was drafted by Dallas in 2003 and Romo joined as an undrafted free agent a year later. It took a few years for this partnership to officially began as Witten was already making his name in his second year while Romo was on the sidelines as a backup. That changed in 2006 when Romo was able to replace Drew Bledsoe as the starter mid-season. From that point on, Romo never looked back and he and Witten began to blossom together.
That same year, Romo’s first season starting, both he and Witten made the Pro bowl. A year later, Witten had his career high in receiving yards 1,145. In the decade of playing together, Witten became the human representation of the word safety blanket. He knew just how to run his routes right at the marker and position the defender on his back as Romo delivered him the ball.
In 156 games, they connected for 786 catches, 8,785 yards and 47 touchdowns. The one critique this duo faced is that the Cowboys were rather mediocre during their time. Aside from four special seasons, they were generally a .500 team. Team success aside, their on-field connection is why they are ranked 3rd all-time.
The 2nd greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski
Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, where to even start. We could start with why they are two instead of the usually presumed one, but we will get to that later.
Their relationship got started when Gronkowski was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2010. By that time, Brady was already a three-time Super Bowl champion and had won a league MVP. With all of that already accomplished, Gronkowski was the prefect piece for Brady to be even more dominant in the second half of his career.
The chemistry was immediate as Gronkowski caught 42 passes for 546 yards and and 10 touchdowns in his rookie year, the same year Brady won another MVP. A year later, Gronkowski improved his stats to a career-high 1,327 receiving yards and a league leading 17 touchdowns. It was clear that Brady and Gronkowski had become a force that would do damage together for a long time.
A decade later, they both have been to numerous Pro bowls, played in six Super Bowls, winning four, and have moved the duo headquarters from New England to Tampa Bay joining the Buccaneers. They have played 132 games together and produced 581 catches, 8,657 yards and 91 touchdowns.
With that level of production and team success, how are they No. 2? The answer is, because they haven’t produced as much as the No. 1 duo. But, Brady and Gronkowski are still playing and looking as good as ever, so they still have a chance to catch the greatest quarterback-tight end duo of all-time.
The greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history: Phillip Rivers & Antonio Gates
Phillip Rivers joined Antonio Gates on the San Diego Chargers in 2004, but it wasn’t until 2006 that he became starter. Once Rivers did take over, he and Gates were magical. Playing together as starters for 13 years, Gates went to six Pro bowls while Rivers went to eight.
The one mark on their resume is their team success. During their 13 season run, they made the playoffs six teams and only advanced to the AFC Championship once. Aside from that year, it was one disappointment after another and the missing Super Bowl win is a dark cloud over the Hall of Fame careers of Rivers and Gates.
Their Chargers’ teams didn’t have a fraction of the success that some of the other duos on this list experienced, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t the best duo. It means, they weren’t on the best teams. Surely both Rivers and Gates shoulder some of the responsibility for San Diego’s disappointing finishes, but this list is for the greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history, not the greatest quarterback-tight end duo on the most successful teams in NFL history.
Simply put, no duo compares to the regular season production of Rivers and Gates. In 194 games, they connected 774 times for 9,543 yards and 95 touchdowns. That may eventually be surpassed with Mahomes and Kelce blistering through records or with Brady and Gronkowski remaining elite late into their careers. But for now, Phillip Rivers and Antonio Gates are the greatest quarterback-tight end duo in NFL history.