10 highest-paid ‘tight ends’ in NFL history
Let's take a look at the top 10 highest paid tight ends in NFL history.
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Rob Gronkowski (L- Getty Images), Travis Kelce (M- USA Today), and Zach Ertz (R- Getty Images)
There are 11 players from a team on the football field at any given time. Whether it is offense or defense, football teams work as a unit, and it is the ultimate team sport of all. Even then, some positions, like the tight ends in the NFL, play a more significant role in the outcome than other positions.
One of the most important and toughest positions to play is the tight end (hybrid wide receiver). They are usually big, strong, and fast since they have to do the jobs of both the offensive linemen and the wide receivers.
For the uninitiated, the tight ends are considered the “Quarterback’s best friend.” Tight ends are rare, and talented athletes will help out their QB in pass and run blocking and also by catching passes. Furthermore, TEs are usually the favorite targets for quarterbacks, especially in the red zone, since they will be too quick for the linebackers and too big for the defensive backs to cover.
There have been many talented tight ends in NFL history throughout the years, and they have made some good money playing one of the toughest positions in football. In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 highest-paid tight ends in NFL history by career earnings.
Related: Where is Johnny Manziel now?
10. Marcedes Lewis (2006 – present)
Former Green Bay Packers tight end Marcedes Lewis is currently a free agent and is looking for a new home. The talented tight end has been playing in the league since 2006. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2006 and played with them for 12 years before joining the Packers in 2018.
Although Lewis hasn’t achieved a lot in the league, he has still made money during his long NFL career so far. Marcedes Lewis has earned $60,851,259 in NFL contracts, which makes him the 10th highest-paid tight end in NFL history.
9. Greg Olsen (2007 – 2020)
The former Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen played in the league for 14 years with 3 different teams. Most notably he had 3 consecutive Pro Bowl seasons with the Panthers from 2014-16.
An unexpected foot injury cut short Greg Olsen’s NFL career, and he is currently working as a sports analyst with Fox Network. During his successful career, Olsen made $70,176,613 in career earnings, which makes him the 9th highest-paid tight end in NFL history.
8. Rob Gronkowski (2010 – 2021)
Rob Gronkowski is one of the most dominant tight ends of all time. Many people consider him the greatest tight end of all time due to his contribution to the New England Patriots‘ dynasty.
During his successful career catching passes from the GOAT, Tom Brady, Gronkowski made five Pro Bowls and received four first-team All-Pro recognitions. Furthermore, he also has four Super Bowl rings on his resume.
Additionally, Gronk also made a lot of money because of his talent. Gronkowski made $70,629,507 from his NFL contracts, which makes him the 8th highest-paid tight end of all time.
7. Antonio Gates (2003 – 2018)
The Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates is one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. He played his entire 16-year-long NFL career with the Chargers.
During his football career, the 8-time Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates made $70,956,236 in career earnings. That makes him the seventh-highest-paid tight end in NFL history.
6. Tony Gonzalez (1997 – 2013)
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez is arguably the greatest pass-catching TE of all time. During his remarkable 17-year career, he received 14 Pro Bowl nods and made the first-team All-Pro squad six times.
The 6’5″ tight end is the 6th highest-paid tight end in NFL history. Tony Gonzalez has earned $72,677,935 during his NFL career. He played 12 years for the Chiefs before joining the Atlanta Falcons in 2009. Gonzalez had four straight Pro Bowls in his last four years playing football.
5. Zach Ertz (2013 – present)
The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Zach Ertz in the second round (35th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. He used to be a phenomenal asset for the Eagles before they traded him to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021.
During his 10-year NFL career so far, the 3-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz has made $72,918,455 in career earnings. He is the fifth-highest-paid tight end in NFL history in career earnings.
4. Travis Kelce (2013 – present)
Kansas City Chiefs legend Travis Kelce is on pace to break tight end records. He has played a crucial role in the Chiefs’ two Super Bowl rings in the last four years.
He is undeniably the best tight end in the league currently. Thanks to his talent, Travis Kelce has made $77,032,220 in his NFL career so far, which makes him the 4th highest tight end in NFL history.
3. Vernon Davis (2006 – 2019)
Former San Francisco 49ers player Vernon Davis had a successful 14-year NFL career with three different teams. He received two Pro Bowl nods and won one Super Bowl ring in his career.
On the business side of things, former first-round draft pick Vernon Davis made $78,681,846 in career earnings. That makes him the third-highest-paid NFL tight end of all time.
2. Jimmy Graham (2010 – 2021)
Former New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham played in the NFL for 12 years with four different teams. He has made five Pro Bowls and received one first-team All-Pro recognition during his remarkable career.
The 6’7″ behemoth of a man Jimmy Graham is also the second-highest-paid tight end in NFL history. The talented tight end made $81,553,700 thanks to his NFL contracts.
1. Jason Witten (2003 – 2020)
The Dallas Cowboys legend Jason Witten is an iconic tight end who had a successful 17-year-long NFL career with two different teams. Witten spent the majority of his career in Dallas. He played 16 years for the Cowboys before joining the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020.
In his 17-year career, Witten earned $81,879,722 in contract signings, which makes him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history. Witten registered 11 Pro Bowl nods and two first-team All-Pro recognitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the highest-paid tight end in NFL history?
The Dallas Cowboys legend Jason Witten is the highest-paid tight end in NFL history with career earnings of approximately $81 million.
How many Super Bowls has Rob Gronkowski won?
Rob Gronkowski has won 4 Super Bowl rings during his NFL career.
How old is Travis Kelce?
The Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce is currently 33 years old.
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Aravind Raj
(2075 Articles Published)