20 October 2023 , 18:01
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NFL legend Rob Gronkowski knows a thing or two about playing tight end, and he has given his thoughts on why Travis Kelce is one of the all-time greats ends in the NFL.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Kelce is playing in his 10th season in the NFL, after being drafted in the third round back in 2013. The 34-year-old has won two Super Bowls during his illustrious career, including last season against the Philadelphia Eagles.
His partnership with quarterback Patrick Mahomes has delivered when the Chiefs have needed it most. Mahomes pass to Kelce in the Super Bowl win over the Eagles in February was their 14th playoffs touchdown - one behind the record held by Gronkowski and Tom Brady.
So Gronk is well placed to cast his verdict on the debate about where Kelce stacks up.
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Gronkowski is widely regarded as one of the best tight ends to ever play in the NFL. The 34-year-old won four Super Bowls in his career, all alongside legendary former quarterback Brady, with three being won with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Initially retiring at the end of the 2018 NFL season, Gronkowski returned to the league in 2020 to reunite with Brady for the Bucs. Gronkowski would officially call time on his playing career in June last year, before the start of the 2022 season.
More than a year after retiring, Gronkowski has now been asked if he thinks Kelce is a better tight end in the NFL than himself during his playing days.
The former Patriots and Bucs star explained why he sees Kelce as a better player than he was, with Gronkowski just five months older than the Chiefs player.
“That question, you're just throwing it right out there,” Gronkowski responded when asked by journalist .
“I would say, in a different aspect. I mean I believe Travis Kelce is the best receiving tight end. He's the best tight end in terms of catching the ball.
“There's no doubt about it, you can't even argue. I mean he's had seven 1000-yard seasons in a row. He's a great red zone target as well. And when he's not out on the field, they are not the same team.
Gronkowski - who had four 1,000 yard seasons himself - added: “It's an argument that I don't wanna make the final decision on.
“He's just had a great career, he's taken it to the top and he keeps taking it to another level each year. He's the same age as me which is incredible. And he's still going at that speed. So I'll leave it up to you guys to debate.”