Because of the hybrid nature of the position, the tight end's role in any given offense depends on the tactical preferences and philosophy of the head coach. In some systems, the tight end will merely act as a sixth offensive lineman, rarely going out for passes. Other systems use the tight end primarily as a receiver, frequently taking advantage of the tight end's size to create mismatches in the defensive secondary. Many coaches will often have one tight end who specializes in blocking in running situations while using a tight end with better pass-catching skills in obvious passing situations.

Offensive formations may have as few as zero or as many as three tight ends at one time. If a wide receiver is present in a formation, but outside thetight end, the wide receiver must be positioned behind the line of scrimmage (see figure at right), since he is in the backfield, not on the line. If two tight ends are on the same side of the line of scrimmage, one must be behind the line of scrimmage or the tight end not at the end of the offensive line must report himself as non-eligible receiver. Alternatively, the offensive coordinator could use the tight end as a fullback.

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The advent of the tight end position is closely tied to the decline of the one-platoon system during the 1940s and '50s. Originally, a rule (derived from the game's evolution from other forms of football) limited substitutions. Consequently, players had to be adept at playing on both sides of the