National Tight Ends Day 2026: Davis Allen, Mason Taylor put on a show during holiday

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          • Kalan HooksOct 26, 2026, 06:20 AM

          Aside from Super Bowl Sunday, many NFL fans recognize another holiday that is specifically designated for a position.

          Sunday marked National Tight Ends Day, which is recognized league-wide to honor players at the position.

          The holiday dates back to 2018, when then-San Francisco 49ers tight end Garrett Celek caught an 11-yard touchdown from Jimmy Garoppolo. With possession of the ball, Celek was held by two defenders, whom he dragged into the end zone for the score.

          National Tight Ends Day was born.

          "We were on the sidelines after Celek's score when Jimmy asked, 'What is it, like National Tight Ends Day?'" 49ers tight end George Kittle said. "I was like, 'Yeah, it's National Tight Ends Day. It's a holiday. Tight ends all over the league are scoring touchdowns.' That's how it came to be. We just kind of rolled with it."

          The holiday has evolved from a day of recognition to a day of domination by the position. Here's a look at how tight ends celebrated the day on the gridiron this year.

          Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

          Arizona was down 20-6 with 3:54 left in the third quarter. On second-and-goal, McBride stutter-stepped past his defender before finding open space into the end zone, where he caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Jacoby Brissett. McBride finished with 10 receptions and 111 receiving yards.

          Darnell Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers

          The mismatch was evident, and Washington immediately took advantage of it. The 6-foot-7, 264-pound tight end was defended by 5-foot-11 New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. Washington called for the ball, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw a 4-yard pass, which Washington snagged with his left hand, barely catching the touchdown in the Steelers' 16-10 win in Paris.

          Davis Allen, Los Angeles Rams

          Davis Allen, have yourself a day -- a holiday that is. The Rams' tight end scored the first points Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. Quarterback Matthew Stafford found Davis in the end zone for an easy 6-yard touchdown pass.

          In the second quarter on first-and-goal, Allen blocked for Stafford and slipped toward the end zone for an easy reception for his second touchdown of the day.

          Kyle Pitts Sr., Atlanta Falcons

          Atlanta opened the dome against San Francisco, who jokingly created National Tight End Day. And for that day, Pitts made himself available. On first-and-goal at the beginning of the third quarter, Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. turned the corner and connected with Pitts for a 5-yard touchdown pass to give Atlanta a 19-14 lead over San Francisco. He also recorded five receptions for 22 yards.

          Mason Taylor, New York Jets

          What better way to start a game on National Tight Ends Day than with a touchdown from a tight end? Such was the case for Taylor, who helped get the Jets' first points after they trailed by a touchdown early in the first quarter.

          Geno Smith found Taylor in the end zone despite tight coverage by Miami Dolphins cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. Taylor caught the 13-yard passing touchdown over Marshall's head and was fired up.

          Taylor caught a second touchdown in the fourth quarter, a 12-yard pass from Smith, and also scored on a 2-point conversion.

          Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers

          Similar to Taylor, Kraft jump-started the Packers' offense. Down 7-0 to the Detroit Lions on third-and-9, quarterback Jordan Love scrambled to avoid a sack attempt and fired a 14-yard dart into the end zone. Kraft made a diving catch and then spiked the ball for Green Bay's first points of the game.

          Darren Waller, Carolina Panthers

          You must feel a different type of swagger when you connect on a big play on your designated day. Down 17-0 in the second quarter, Waller turned on the jets to get behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense for a touchdown. Bryce Young launched a 50-yard pass and connected with Waller.

          T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

          Heading into "Sunday Night Football," Minnesota and Kansas City are the only teams in the league boasting an undefeated record. Hockenson kept the Vikings rolling Sunday. Down 10-6 to the Indianapolis Colts at the start of the fourth quarter, Hockenson darted left and caught a 5-yard pass from Kyler Murray. Hockenson was off-balance when he caught the ball and displayed his body control as he angled for a touchdown, which was a big play in the Vikings' 16-10 win.