What’s Happening to NFL Tight Ends?

By Jacob Koehler

The tight end position has taken a huge dive in offensive production so far in the 2024 NFL season. There had been a rise in tight ends’ use as a receiver in recent history, so why did that change all of a sudden? Tight ends started earning bigger contracts, being drafted higher, and holding more value in fantasy football. This season, even the biggest names in their position have been nearly non-existent. Whether you drafted one high in fantasy football, or have them in your bet slips on new betting apps, many of us are left wondering what happened to NFL tight ends.

It’s too early to tell if this trend will last, but 4 weeks in a major pattern has emerged. Are the drop-offs due to a case-by-case basis or a change in how the game is being played? The answer is a little of both. Some are aging, others have players taking their targets, but all tight ends are struggling in the passing game.

Travis Kelce is considered by some (not me) as the greatest tight end of all time. I think he is largely responsible for the change both on a personal and systemic level. As the top name in his position, his fall-off shines the light on the problem. If the ultra-consistent Kelce isn’t producing, then something must be up. However, it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise from him. Kelce turns 35 this season and has spent the offseason touring with the biggest pop star in the world. It seems the increased stardom has taken the front seat over football, and it has shown on the field.

On the other hand, Kelce and other great tight ends such as George Kittle are responsible for the change simply by being so successful in recent years. The game is adjusting to balance it out. Defenses are dialing in on stopping the tight end because it has been killing them as of late. Besides dedicating more attention to slowing down the tight end, teams are specifically drafting prototype tight-end stoppers. In 2020, then incoming top linebacker prospect Isaiah Simmons said “If you know who George Kittle and Travis Kelce are, then that explains it all,” “The game is no longer a 250-pound linebacker. It’s more guys that are able to run side to side and are able to cover. It’s just a necessity now with the tight ends and running backs.” While Simmons himself didn’t live up to the hype, he was in theory about the way the linebacker position was changing.

The interesting thing about the decline of tight end play is that the running back is reemerging in importance. When defenses focus on shutting down one area, opportunity opens up in others. That gives me hope that this trend won’t continue at this rate and that this season’s tight ends will become game-changers once again. There will be some big performances from top tight ends at some point, but this conversation will carry over into years to come.