Rob Gronkowski and Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce are considered two of the best tight ends ever to play in the NFL. Both have been constantly compared to each other, and their fans are always going against each other when it comes to labeling which player is the greatest tight end ever.
In a recent conversation with Julian Edelman on the “Dudes on Dudes” podcast, Gronkowski talked about constant comparisons with Kelce.
Rob Gronkowski Reveals How He’s Different From Travis Kelce
When asked about getting compared to Kelce, the New England Patriots legend mentioned that they are two different players.
“You know, it’s really like not a comparison,” said Gronkowski. “I mean, you can compare us, but we’re two totally different players. To tell you the truth, it all depends on what type of scheme you’re in as well, like, what they ask him to do with the Kansas City Chiefs, I could not replicate what he’s doing with the Chiefs. If you ask him to do what I was doing with the New England Patriots, I don’t think he could replicate it.
“He could do it like I could do what he’s doing, but I wouldn’t have been able to replicate what he’s doing with the Chiefs at that level. We have two totally different skill sets by far… we’re two totally different players. You can compare us because we both wear the number 87, you know… I guess it’s an honor to be in the same category.”
Gronk talks about the comparisons between himself and Travis Kelce:@Edelman11 @RobGronkowski @tkelce pic.twitter.com/xBakhcoTMo
— DudesOnDudes (@DudesOnDudesPod) October 25, 2024
Gronkowski is more known for his blocking skills and for being one of the hardest players to tackle on the football field. When it comes to Kelce, the Chiefs star is more known for his savviness as he plays like a wide receiver and often looks unguardable.
Both Gronk and Kelce are future Hall of Famers. With all due respect to Shannon Sharpe and Tony Gonzalez, Gronk and Kelce have a valid case of being the two best tight ends ever to play football.
Comparing Gronk and Kelce’s Career Stats
The Patriots drafted Gronkowski in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played 11 seasons in the NFL and won four Super Bowls. Gronk also made the Pro Bowl five times in his career and was an All-Pro on four occasions.
In 143 games, Gronkowski totaled 621 receptions for 9,286 yards and 92 touchdowns, averaging 15.0 yards per reception. In 22 playoff games across his career, he had 98 receptions for 1,389 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 14.2 yards per reception.
Kelce was a third-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft and is into his 12th season in the league. The Chiefs’ tight end is a three-time Super Bowl champion, four-time All-Pro, and has made the Pro Bowl nine times in his career.
In 165 games, Kelce has 935 catches for 11,573 yards and 74 touchdowns, averaging 12.4 yards per reception. He has also played 22 playoff games so far in his career in which he has 165 catches for 1,903 yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging 11.5 yards per reception.
Kelce is the NFL’s all-time leader in playoff receptions and is only behind Jerry Rice as the all-time leader in touchdowns among receivers or tight ends in the postseason.
Gronkowski was much more challenging to defend at his peak than Kelce, but the latter’s longevity should be considered in the all-time great debates.
