There are a whole lot of different debates that happen whenever we talk about the 2 TEs. Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce. The divide between the fans on this topic is real. And even those two know their pedigree. “I consider myself to be the best tight end to ever play the position. But after watching this guy (Kelce) the past few years, I’m starting to question that.” This was the honest admission from Gronk last season. The season was Trav’s one of the worst (arguably the worst). And now, the guy who played the position has his say on the debate.
After 12 years in the NFL, former Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph is walking away from the game—and walking straight into a media career. But before he steps behind the mic full-time, he’s already jumped into one of football’s most heated barbershop arguments: Who’s the greatest tight end of all time—Travis Kelce or Rob Gronkowski?
Rudolph didn’t shy away from the debate when asked. “If you’re going off pure stats, it’s Travis,” he said. “No one can argue that.” Kelce’s numbers are loud—1,000+ receptions, over 12,000 yards, and counting. But Rudolph isn’t crowning a GOAT based on box scores alone. “But there’s a lot more to the tight end position than just the numbers.” Blocking, versatility, longevity—they all matter.
That’s where Gronk enters the chat. Rudolph pointed out that if Gronk had stayed healthy and played as long as Tony Gonzalez, the numbers would’ve been “off the charts.” In his eyes, Gronk’s ability to be both an elite blocker and dominant pass-catcher gives him just as strong a claim as Kelce. “So, I think, when you look at the Mount Rushmore of tight ends these guys are all on it and deservedly so.”
Former #Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph talks about the #GOAT tight ends and is it Travis Kelce? #kelce #tightendu #SFCTheCatch pic.twitter.com/YsULaY56tr
— Starcade Media (@StarcadeMediaKC) April 12, 2025
Rudolph, who spent 10 of his 12 seasons with the Vikings, knows the grind it takes to play tight end at a high level. He retired with 482 catches, 4,773 yards, and 50 touchdowns. Solid numbers, but he always leaned on fundamentals and toughness—something he clearly respects in both Kelce and Gronk.
And it makes sense for us to debate between these two TEs for the crown. WHY? Well, just look at their QBs. Trav’s going into season 13 in the 2025 season with Patrick Mahomes as his guy. The two have won 2 SBs together. As for Rob. Well, he was Tom Brady, TB12’s security blanket, getting 3 rings. So, you pick your duo, and each one has got the recipe to cook.
But Travis Kelce should have retired to save his legacy, per this analyst
All this debate talk is alright, until you remember that we are here: three months after the Chiefs face-planted in Super Bowl 59—and the hot takes aren’t cooling down. Jason McIntyre, never one to sugarcoat, just dropped a nuke on Travis Kelce and the entire Kansas City operation.
On The Herd, McIntyre ripped into KC’s offseason like he was breaking down a busted play. “They haven’t done a d*** thing,” he barked. His tone? Less analyst, more angry offensive coordinator watching a delay of game out of a timeout.
He didn’t stop at the front office. He came for the trenches next. McIntyre called the Chiefs’ O-line “a train wreck,” then laughed off the team’s so-called “biggest signing”—Jaylon Moore. “Who?! A fifth-rounder from Western Michigan… a backup!” That’s the kind of shade that echoes in film rooms and Reddit threads for weeks. And let’s be real—if you’re Mahomes, hearing that has to sting a little.
But then came the Kelce hit. The one fans didn’t see coming. “I love Travis Kelce,” McIntyre said, right before lowering the boom. “He’s coming off his worst season… career-low three touchdowns.” Ouch. The analyst didn’t need to remind you Kelce’s 35 and turning 36 in October. He did anyway. “He was a ghost, invisible,” McIntyre added, referring to Kelce’s last three playoff games. And sure, Kelce wants a better ending than getting blanked in New Orleans. But should he have hung it up instead? McIntyre seems to think so.
Now, here’s where it gets spicy. McIntyre claims KC’s 11-0 record in one-score games last year wasn’t clutch—it was smoke and mirrors. “Historic stuff,” he said. But also? “You don’t see that carry over. These things flip.” Translation: luck doesn’t stick around in the NFL. Especially not when your core is aging, your line’s in shambles, and your tight end might’ve played one year too long. According to McIntyre, it’s all setting up for a crash.
And here’s the mic drop: “I don’t think the Kansas City Chiefs are a playoff team next year.” He said it. April. Pre-Draft. No qualifiers. Just a full send prediction. Wild? Maybe. But if you’ve watched dynasties fall apart (ahem, Pats Nation) it doesn’t sound that crazy.
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