Super Bowl LVIII features one of the best tight end battles in NFL history

Don’t forget to look out for two of the best tight ends to ever do it. Their play Sunday could decide the outcome.

There has been a lot of talk about the upcoming Super Bowl and the clash between future Hall of Famer Patrick Mahomes and Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy, and that is for good reason of course. There has also been much made about these two elite defenses who have in part carried these teams to the position they are in now. What hasn’t been quite as focused on is the chance to view two of the best tight ends to ever do it, shoulder the load on offense once again.

Yes, plenty of people have been talking about Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce, but that has been for all the wrong reasons. Perhaps lost in the talk of Kelce’s social life is the serious reality that he is in the discussion for the greatest to ever do it at his position and is still playing at an elite level. On the other side if San Francisco 49ers’ tight end George Kittle, who while not as hyped up as Kelce, is still one of the best in the game and a major reason this 49ers offense is functional.

Kittle is used in such a variety of ways in the big brained offensive system of Kyle Shanahan and this 49ers offense. One of the majorly underappreciated portions of Kittle’s game is his blocking ability, sometimes being used almost as a swing tackle in the NFL’s best rushing attack. When asked to be a receiver Kittle is able to contribute as one of the league’s best yards after catch receiver, using elite levels of physicality to dominate opponents with the ball in his hands. Every 49ers playmaker can make plays post catch, Kittle is right there among the rest with his ability to take a dump off and make a huge play.

There isn’t much more that needs to be said about Kelce given his gentle reminder in the playoffs that he is an unstoppable machine. Kelce and Patrick Mahomes have such a unique connection and understanding of what is happening with the defense behind him that remains unmatched in history, and will certainly be a factor on the biggest stage once again.

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So while taking in all the lore and celebrity of the Super Bowl, don’t forget to appreciate the football history that is happening in front of us, and keep an eye on two of the best players to ever do it at the tight end position. Though they may make it hard to ignore them come Sunday.