While Arizona Cardinals standout Trey McBride is chasing NFL records, it appears that Brock Bowers will finally get on the field in 2026 for the Raiders. And Rob Gronkowski pondered McBride and Bowers as the next great tight end in the NFL, according to a post on X by the Dan Patrick Show.
“I think Trey McBride is probably the best most consistent tight end right now, over the last couple of years,” Gronkowski said. “The next great one? I would say Brock Bowers was on his way. He’s been hurt a lot lately. So, I can’t really credit him right now. But his phenomenal rookie year. And he does great when he’s actually out on the field.”
NFL tight ends have held up to their early work
Gronkowski pointed to several tight ends who had great starts, but haven’t continued the momentum.
“I thought Sam LaPorta was going to break out more,” Gronkowski said. “These guys are having good rookie years, but then they’re kind of falling off a little bit. Tyler Warren was solid at first, but not doing too much lately. I’m a big fan of him.
“Colston Loveland, I thought was going to take the next step forward. But now he hasn’t produced the first two games.”
Overall, Gronkowski said the players need to perform more consistently.
Dalton Kincaid currently leads the NFL in tight end yardage with 221 through two games. He is followed by Dalton Schultz (175) and Travis Kelce (172). McBride leads in receptions with 17, followed by Schultz (16) and Isaiah Likely (13).
Six tight ends have two touchdown catches each: Darren Waller, Dallas Goedert, Jake Ferguson, Likely, McBride, and Warren.
It’s not a matter of ability, Gronkowski said.
“The talent is there,” he said.
And Gronkowski said Loveland was his pick going into the 2026 season.
“I just need to see him produce,” Gronkowski said.