The NFL has always mesmerized us with its unique play. While we have seen the quarterbacks getting the most attention, several other positions are equally important and can significantly impact a game’s outcome. One such position is the tight end. As it is a hybrid position, the athlete embracing the role has to be immensely skilled to execute his responsibilities perfectly.

Now, without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about what exact purpose a tight end serves in an NFL game.

What Is A Tight End In The NFL? 

The primary role of a Tight End is that of an offensive player. However, a TE will have to contribute towards the roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Thus, the athlete signing up for the position must be sturdy enough to block the gush of attacks from the opponent. On the contrary, he must also be athletic empires to break into the opponent’s defense and wreak havoc swiftly.

In a typical NFL game, a tight end will be positioned on the end of the offensive line, outside of the tackle. This is done mainly for them to block the running backs of the opponents. On the contrary, when the team is on the run, a TE becomes an eligible receiver who can catch the balls thrown at him by a quarterback.

Why Is The Position Known As ‘Tight End’? 

The phrase originates from the player’s positioning on the offensive line. As the athlete maintains a position very close to the offensive line, it is referred to as ‘tight.’ On the contrary, these athletes also line up right at the end of the line, which is denoted by the word ‘end.’ Hence, the word’ Tight’.

Does All The Tight Ends Serve The Same Role In Every NFL Game? 

Ideally, every athlete playing in the tight end position will have an identical role. However, what exactly they will be asked to do in a particular game completely depends upon the game plans of the coaches. Most coaches might choose to play a tight end as a primary receiver. They would go out into the opponent’s defense and cause significant problems with their sturdy frame.

On the flip side, some teams would prefer to use their tight ends as a sixth offensive lineman. Here, the TE will not frequently go out on the attack to catch passes. Now, teams can also play up to three tight ends at once in a game. Thus, there are coaches who use specially abled tight ends for the offensive and the defensive positions.

On the flip side, some teams would prefer to use their tight ends as a sixth offensive lineman. Here, the TE will not go out on the attack frequently to catch passes. Now, teams can also play up to three tight ends at once in a game. Thus, there are coaches who use specially abled tight ends for the offensive and the defensive positions.

How Much Money Does A Tight End Make Annually? 

Unfortunately, despite their heavy workload, the tight ends are some of the lowest-paid positions in the NFL in 2024. As per the reports, the average annual pay for a tight end is $8 million per year. As for the elite ones of the league, their average annual salary typically hovers in and around the $17 million mark.

What Are The Physical Attributes Required To Be A Tight End? 

Well, on pen and paper, there are no set rules about how tall an NFL tight end must be. However, due to their positioning and roles on the field, the tight ends are usually on the heavier side. The average height of a tight end in 2024 stands at 6ft 4in with weight well over the 254 lbs mark. This is usually because the physical presence of a tight end is pretty significant in terms of weathering the opponent’s offensive storm and also running routes while in the opponent’s defensive zone. Due to their big build, tight ends are generally not the fastest athletes you will find in the NFL.

What Are The Designated Jersey Numbers Of A Tight End? 

As per the High School rules in America, a tight end must wear jerseys with numbers other than 50-79. The National Federation of State High School Associations determines this rule. However, the NCAA has no restrictions on the jersey number of a tight end. However, they ‘strongly recommend’ tight ends to pick up jerseys with numbers 80-99. Finally, after the revision of the NFL rules, a tight end is allowed to choose any number. It should range from 0-49 and 80-89.

Who Are The Top 4 NFL  Tight Ends Of All Time? 

Rob Gronkowski, Mike Ditka, Antonio Gates, Greg Olsen, and Travis Kelce are the top 5 NFL tight ends as per Total Pro Sports.