Editing Tight end (section)

{{Short description|Position in American football}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
[[File:Cole Holcomb chasing Travis Kelce OCT2021.jpg|alt=Chiefs superstar TE Travis Kelce|thumb|250x250px|[[Travis Kelce]], a tight end for the [[Kansas City Chiefs]], in the open field]]
[[File:Football-Formation-TE.svg|thumb|250px|Example of tight end positioning in an offensive formation.]]

The '''tight end''' ('''TE''') is an [[offense (sports)|offensive]] position in [[American football]], [[arena football]], and [[Canadian football]]. It is a hybrid that combines the characteristics and roles of both an [[offensive line]]man and a [[receiver (football)|receiver]]. As part of the receiver corps, they play inside the flanks (tight), contrasted with the [[split end]] who plays outside the flanks (wide). Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be effective blockers. On the other hand, unlike offensive linemen, they are [[eligible receiver]]s and potent weapons in a team's offensive schemes.

The tight end's role in any given offense depends on the preferences and philosophy of the [[head coach]], [[offensive coordinator]], and overall team dynamic. In some systems, the tight end will merely act as a sixth offensive lineman, rarely going out for passes. Other systems use the tight end primarily as a receiver, frequently taking advantage of the tight end's size to create mismatches in the [[defensive secondary]]. Many coaches will often have one tight end who specializes in blocking on running plays while using a tight end with better pass-catching skills in passing situations.

Offensive formations may have as few as zero or as many as three tight ends at one time.

NFL tight ends in 2024 make an average of $8 million per year; some of the top tight ends make around $17 million per year. This position is amongst the lowest paid in the NFL.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Overthecap.com |title=Tight end Contracts and Salaries |url=https://overthecap.com/position |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=Over the Cap |language=en-US}}</ref>