A seismic shift in how the NFL uses tight ends has been building for over a year now, kicked off mid-2025 season by none other than the Los Angeles Rams. When Rams wide receiver Davante Adams missed some games, head coach Sean McVay didn't just plug in another receiver; he blew up his offensive philosophy. Instead of their usual 11 personnel (one back, one tight end, three wide receivers), the Rams pivoted hard to 12 and 13 personnel, putting more tight ends on the field. This wasn't just a band-aid; it unlocked something new for their offense.
Sean McVay Blew Up The Playbook
The Rams' move to heavier personnel was pure genius. They got better blocking on the field, which helps the run game big time, but here's the kicker: they still maintained a vertical element to their passing offense. It wasn't just smashmouth football. Terrance Ferguson was their field-stretcher, giving defenses something to worry about deep. Then you had Davis Allen and Tyler Higbee, who could block competently and snag those crucial underneath checkdowns. Colby Parkenson was their top inline blocker, but he also showed more receiving skills than your typical blocking tight end. This versatility was key. When the Rams threw heavier packages out there, defenses were totally discombobulated. Do you load up the box with an extra defensive lineman or linebacker and risk getting torched in coverage? Or do you stay light with Nickel or Dime and pray you don't get gashed on the ground? The Rams kept everyone guessing and got defenses off-balance better than anyone.
The NFL Bought In, But KC Said 'Nah'
It's no surprise that other teams took notice and started adopting this model. This offseason, the Los Angeles Chargers went all-in on blocking personnel. They snagged former Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar for a three-year, $24.3 million deal. Yeah, Kolar's only got 30 catches in four NFL seasons, but his blocking ability is what the Chargers are after to add that extra layer to their offense. They even signed fullback Alec Ingold, just showing how much they value that skill-position versatility. The 2026 NFL Draft hammered this point home: nine tight ends went in the top-100! And get this, six of those guys , Nate Boerkircher, Marlin Klein, Sam Roush, Oscar Delp, Will Kacmarek, and Eli Raridon , are projected as blocking tight ends with limited receiving upside. But amidst this league-wide shift, one team is absolutely refusing to get on the tight end bandwagon: the Kansas City Chiefs. They're literally running back the same tight end room with Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, and Jared Wiley, plus deep roster guys like Tre Watson or Jake Brini. The entire league is zigging towards versatile, blocking-focused tight ends, and the Chiefs are just… zagging, or maybe just standing still.
So, the question is, what happens next? The NFL has clearly found a new edge by diversifying the tight end spot, prioritizing guys who can do it all. The Chiefs are sticking with their proven crew. Will that stability give them an advantage in 2026, or will the rest of the league's new heavy packages leave them struggling to keep up?
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.