Brock Bowers has just put together one of the greatest seasons by a rookie tight end ever, and some all-time greats are taking notice.
In the unyielding desert of Las Vegas, a star has risen—one that has redefined what it means to be a rookie in the NFL. Raiders tight end Brock Bowers has etched his name into the annals of football history, shattering records and defying expectations with a season that feels more like a coronation than an introduction.
In Week 18, Bowers rewrote the record books. He broke Mike Ditka’s decades-old mark for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end and surpassed Puka Nacua’s rookie receptions record in the same breath. With each catch, each yard, Bowers cements his legacy as not only the greatest rookie tight end the league has ever seen but also one of the finest first-year pass catchers of all time.
Gronkowski Praises Bowers
For all the fanfare, Bowers remains a man of few words, a quiet force who lets his play speak volumes. “He just loves to play football,” one teammate remarked. And play he does—at a level that has drawn praise from legends of the game. Among them is Rob Gronkowski, a Hall of Famer-in-waiting and a man who knows a thing or two about greatness at the tight end position. “He’s just scratching the surface,” Gronkowski said. “The records he’s going to break? We’re only seeing the beginning.”
“He’s the complete package,” Gronkowski said on the Dec. 31 episode of “Up & Adams.” “He’s the only thing that’s been steady on the Las Vegas Raiders offense throughout the whole year, and he’s done it with about three different quarterbacks throwing him the ball, which is just incredible. He should be Rookie Offensive Player of the Year. Don’t give it to a quarterback; he deserves it.
“100-something catches as just a rookie. If he continues this pace, he’s going to shatter every single tight-end record out there. Possibly some receiving records as well. The only one that he may not touch is my record, which is the most touchdowns scored by a tight end in a single season, which is 17 receptions and one rushing.”
Brock Bowers poses a challenge for defenses in 12 personnel. As a good secondary blocker he's too physical to be answered with a nickel, as he can credibly attach and create heavy formations.
If you respond with base, they can flex him and get their slot on a LB. pic.twitter.com/ans0lGb4Ku
— Remember The Tight Ends (@RememberTheTE) January 2, 2025
Even now, as a rookie, there’s a growing argument that Bowers is already among the league’s elite tight ends. His peers and fans alike have taken notice. Named to the 2025 Pro Bowl Games alongside Kansas City’s Travis Kelce, Bowers stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the game. For the Raiders, he is one of only two players, alongside Maxx Crosby, to earn this honor—a testament to his transcendent talent.
Raiders’ Teammates Also See A Star
What makes Bowers’ season even more remarkable is the adversity he’s faced. At just 22 years old, he’s navigated the turbulence of inconsistent quarterback play, never allowing instability to diminish his impact. His veteran teammates, like Ameer Abdullah, marvel at his poise and potential. “He’s only getting started,” Abdullah said. “The sky isn’t even the limit for him.”
“Brock handles the spotlight very well, never gets too high or too low,” Abdullah said following the Raiders’ Week 17 win over the New Orleans Saints. “He has the same routine every day — I’ve actually learned a lot from Brock being here. He just brings his lunch to work and is never satisfied.”
LEGEND: #Raiders TE Brock Bowers’ has the 5th-most receptions by a tight end in a season in NFL history.
Bowers is only 22 years old & a rookie and is having one of the best seasons ever by a tight end.
🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/6rbyjSV73V
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) December 31, 2024
Indeed, Bowers’ ceiling seems boundless. Should the Raiders find stability on offense, the numbers he could produce are staggering to imagine. But for now, Bowers is content to do what he does best—play football with a focus and passion that few can match.
But Pro Bowl accolades are just the beginning. All-Pro recognition seems almost inevitable, and whispers of Offensive Rookie of the Year grow louder with each passing week. For a franchise that has struggled with recent first-round picks, the decision to draft Bowers—a tight end at a position of relative strength—raised eyebrows. Now, it’s clear: drafting the best player available can be a game-changer.
In the silver and black, a new cornerstone has emerged. And while his story is still in its opening chapters, one thing is certain: Brock Bowers is not just a player to watch. He is a player rewriting the script of what’s possible.
