Its quite a close debate I think. But Gronk is statistically superior to Gonzalez and Travis. My only sadness is Gronk retired way early.

15 comments

  1. The only issue with Gronk is he likely missed several years of his prime and a few years of good play because of various injuries and ailments he sustained. By far the most dominant tight end I’ve ever seen in my lifetime

  2. Yeah availability is really the only thing that makes it debatable. By far the most dominant TE in history when he was on the field.

  3. Tony Gonzalez is Jerry Rice – insane production for an insane amount of time.

    Gronk is Calvin Johnson – highest peak we’ve ever seen at the position, but career not long enough.

    Kelce is Larry Fitzgerald – crazy consistent over a long period of time, but not quite to the level of Tony G/Rice.

    Gronk’s GOAT case relies on the peak argument, but that’s the same argument naysayers use to say that players like Rodgers or Mahomes should be higher than Brady.

    For those reasons, I’m perfectly fine with saying Tony G is the GOAT because GOAT isn’t awarded over a few seasons; it’s a culmination of accolades, stats, and consistency over a really, really long career.

  5. It’s a weird argument in general. They’re all great, they’re all HoFers.

    I think the biggest distinction for Gronk was always that he was an incredible blocker. A lot of teams carry a TE purely for blocking for run situations, and Gronk was truly unique in that he was a top 3 blocking TE in the league, if not the best, in addition to being the best receiving TE.

    Gonzalez wasn’t really a passable blocker. More a oversized WR. Keller is better, but still not on the same level that Gronk was.

  6. People always just look at receiving stats and they forget the blocking component of TE until Gronk is brought up.

  7. If we can say Bo Jackson is one of the greatest athletes in history off eye test, then I’m going to the grave saying Gronk is the greatest tight end regardless of the stats. I’ve never seen another tight end as dominant as he was when he was on the field

  8. Gronk has the greatest peak by far but I think it’s Gonzalez for longevity and consistency.

    Nah fuck it, it’s gronk

  9. For me Gronk is the Shaq argument. You can say he was the most dominant player, and that does not seem like hyperbole. But he’s not the GOAT.

  10. I think gronk because he was the perfect TE everywhere. His blocking was like a tackle and his speed, hands, catch radius was absurd. and he won 4 super bowls.

  11. I’ve watched Gonzalez and Gronk and there really isn’t a comparison to be had.

    It’s like comparing Larry Fitzgerald to Randy moss. Gonzales was a top tier tight end for many years. Good guy too. Gronk was just on another level and was in the convo for best weapon in the league along with Megatron and later Julio/AB.

    Catching slants for volume stats is not really impressive for a TE which is what Gonzalez and kelce did. I don’t think Wes welker is the GOAT te either.

  12. no one with a brain is picking anyone over Gronk. End of. It’s as asinine of a “debate” as those who say Brady isn’t the GOAT.

  13. Why do we feel we have to always defend Gronk and his greatness? I never understood it. It’s not like he’s being left off lists and at worst he is in pretty much everyone’s top 3. The only real debate is whether someone appreciates longevity or peak more and if they consider blocking to have more or less importance. But us acting like he’s always disrespected is weird.

  14. I think it’s debatable . Gronk was more dominant on a per game basis and more complete of a TE. He put up bigger numbers in his prime and in the playoffs and he’s won more.

    But Tony G didn’t play with Tom his whole career either and still found a way to be the GOAT before gronk

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