George Kittle, Dallas Goedert, Tucker Kraft highlight TEs who lived up to hype on National Tight End Day

Teddy Ricketson

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George Kittle, Dallas Goedert, Tucker Kraft highlight TEs who lived up to hype on National Tight End Day image

The tight end position has developed into more of a brotherhood than the others, at least in the public eye. Through the efforts of the best at the position, they have now developed Tight End University in the offseason as a bonding experience and clinic for tight ends around the league, regardless of team.

To honor the position, which has historically been overlooked, the NFL now celebrates National Tight Ends Day. It tends to fall around the halfway mark to the season, and while it may be a placebo effect, it does feel like tight ends are targeted more on their day. 

Week 8 marked National Tight Ends Day for the 2025 NFL season. Here is a look at the best tight end performances, including George Kittle and Dallas Goedert. 

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Notable tight end performances on National TE Day

George Kittle

Kittle has been a big proponent of Tight End University and National Tight Ends Day. It is only fitting that he found the endzone on the day his position was celebrated. 

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Dallas Goedert

Goedert has quietly had one of the best starts to a season for a tight end in NFL history. He became one of only three tight ends since 2015 to have 7-plus receiving touchdowns in their first seven games of the season. Goedert had two against the New York Giants. 

Jake Tonges

San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones looked to be targeting Kittle for a second touchdown against the Houston Texans, but it was backup tight end Jake Tonges who snatched it out of the air for a score of his own.

Hunter Henry

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry hasn't seen a consistent role in the passing game, making it all the more fitting that he found the endzone on National Tight Ends Day in his lone reception of the game. 

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Harold Fannin Jr. 

National Tight Ends Day is for all the tight ends in the league, even the rookies. Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. Continued the hot start to his career and came down with a score in Week 8.

David Njoku

Veteran tight end David Njoku wasn't going to let his teammate Fannin have all the fun on National Tight Ends Day. After Fannin's 18-yard touchdown in the first half, Njoku hauled in an 11-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Mason Taylor

New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor scored his first career touchdown on National Tight Ends Day. It was a pass from Jets running back Breece Hall. It also secured the first win of the Jets' season.

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Charlie Kolar

While it wasn't his first career touchdown like Taylor, Kolar came down with the first touchdown of his season on National Tight Ends Day.

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Gunnar Helm

The Tennessee Titans are still trying to find their offensive rhythm. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward hit fellow rookie Gunnar Helm for his backup tight end's first career touchdown.

Tucker Kraft

Every National Tight Ends Day needs a National Tight Ends Night. Playing in "Sunday Night Football" against the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't stop Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft from finding the endzone in the first quarter. Kraft didn't stop there, having a huge  game for the Steelers. 

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