Top 10 seasons by a rookie TE: Pitts closing in on Ditka’s record
On Sunday, Kyle Pitts passed Jeremy Shockey for the most receiving yards by a rookie tight end in the NFL’s modern era. While this is quite the accomplishment, there’s still one man that Pitts must pass to be the undisputed rookie TE champ.
Before he was the Super Bowl-champion head coach of the Chicago Bears, Mike Ditka set what’s been an unbreakable rookie record of 1,076 receiving yards for the Bears in 1961.
Pitts got within striking distance of the record, but he still needs over 100 yards with two games left to overtake Iron Mike. Here are the top 10 seasons by a rookie tight end.
10). Russ Francis - 1975 season
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1975 stats: 35 catches, 636 receiving yards, 4 touchdowns, 45.4 yards per game
9). Bob Trumpy - 1968 season
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1968 stats: 37 catches, 639 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns, 45.6 yards per game
8). Cam Cleeland - 1998 season
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1998 stats: 54 catches, 684 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns, 42.8 yards per game
7). Evan Engram - 2017 season
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2017 stats: 64 catches, 722 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns, 48.1 yards per game
6). John Mackey - 1963 season
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1963 stats: 35 catches, 726 receiving yards, 7 touchdowns, 51.9 yards per game
5). Charle Young - 1973 season
(AP Photo)
1973 stats: 55 catches, 854 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns, 61 yards per game
4). Keith Jackson - 1988 season
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1988 stats: 81 catches, 869 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns, 54.3 yards per game
3). Jeremy Shockey - 2002 season
(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
2002 stats: 74 catches, 894 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns, 59.6 yards per game
2) Kyle Pitts - 2021 season
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2021 stats: 64 catches, 949 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 63.3 yards per game
1). Mike Ditka - 1961 season
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1961 stats: 56 catches, 1,076 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns, 76.9 yards per game
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