ESPN ranked the top NFL tight ends ahead of the 2025 season, and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce was not at the top of the list.

The George Kittle vs. Travis Kelce battle raged on for a half-decade in glorious fashion. And now it’s over. The top tier of this year’s tight ends list features multiple fresh names — and a new tight end king.

But an appearance at No. 5 in ESPN's top 10 best tight ends ahead of the 2025 season says a lot, even after a disappointing season. Kelce fell from the No. 1 spot, where he was a season ago. The list was compiled by surveying NFL coaches, scouts and executives, and it was all put together by Jeremy Fowler.