Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Legend Shannon Sharpe Loses Spot in TE History on Sunday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ankit K. | Last updated Dec 1, 2025 1:41 AM ET

"Sunday Night Football" in Washington became the setting for a major change in NFL tight end history. As the Commanders hosted the Denver Broncos, veteran tight end Zach Ertz was at the center of the spotlight.

He entered the matchup needing only two receptions to move past Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe. This would have helped him secure the fifth place on the all-time tight end catches list. He wasted no time reaching that mark.

Ertz recorded three receptions in the opening quarter, officially passing Sharpe and placing himself among the most accomplished players at his position.

Zach Ertz passes HOF Shannon Sharpe for 5th-most receptions by a TE in NFL history @Commanders | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/WnWyDYw6ci
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) December 1, 2025

Only Tony Gonzalez, Jason Witten, Travis Kelce and Antonio Gates now stand ahead of him in career receptions.

Most career receptions by a tight end in NFL

Rank	Name	Games Played	Receptions	Receiving Yards
1	Tony Gonzalez	270	1,325	15,127
2	Jason Witten	271	1,228	13,046
3	Travis Kelce	187	1,063	12,870
4	Antonio Gates	236	955	11,841
5	Zach Ertz	180	824	8,581
6	Shannon Sharpe	204	815	10,060
7	Greg Olsen	199	742	8,683
8	Jimmy Graham	197	719	8,545
9	Ozzie Newsome	198	662	7,980
10	Rob Gronkowski	143	621	9,286

Note: As of December 1, 2025.

Each of these players represents a benchmark of excellence, and Ertz’s ascent into this group shows the consistency and longevity of his career.

The milestone was just one part of Ertz’s standout performance. The 35-year-old delivered his best outing of the 2025 season with 10 catches for 106 yards. It was his first 100-yard game of the year and the 12th time in his career that he has reached double-digit receptions. His new career total of 824 catches continues to raise the profile of an already impressive resume.

Despite Ertz’s remarkable night, Washington fell short in a 27-26 overtime loss that extended the team’s losing streak to seven games. A potential game-tying touchdown slipped through Ertz’s hands in overtime, adding frustration to an otherwise historic performance.

Now in his second season with the Commanders, Ertz remains a dependable presence on offense despite the ongoing team struggles. His career, which includes three Pro Bowls, multiple 70-catch seasons, and a key role in the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LII victory, already places him among the greats.

Though the Commanders left with another defeat, Ertz gained a meaningful achievement that strengthens his legacy in NFL history.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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