Colts' Ebron gunning for Gronk's single-season TD record

Rob Gronkowski's retirement is barely a month old, and Eric Ebron is already looking to erase the future Hall of Famer from NFL record books.

The Indianapolis Colts standout said Tuesday that he's setting his sights on breaking Gronkowski's league-record 17 touchdown receptions by a tight end.

"I believe Gronk still holds the record for most touchdowns, which is 17. So, if I want to do anything that is gonna be real spectacular or really good, I gotta go get 17," Ebron said, according to NFL.com's Jeremy Bergman.

"And if I go and get 17, I help my team win games. I did that, proved that and I feel like if I'm at my best, then I feel like this team will be at their best."

Ebron emerged as one of the league's most effective red-zone weapons in his first year in Indy, grabbing 13 scores from Andrew Luck - and rushing for another - in a career season. His current deal only runs through 2019, but the pass-catcher isn't sweating landing a big payday.

"I know if I duplicate what I did last year we're gonna be all right," said Ebron.

Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham (16 in 2013) are the only tight ends to ever catch more than 13 touchdowns; Vernon Davis (twice), Tyler Eifert, and Antonio Gates are all tied with Ebron for the third-most all time.

The former first-round pick exceeded his entire four-year touchdown production with the Detroit Lions (11), and at one point, seemingly had the former New England Patriots star's record in his sights. However, after racking up 11 receiving scores through as many games, Ebron found the end zone just twice in the final five weeks of the campaign.

Ebron's lofty goal could be impeded by Indy's offense having more mouths to feed than it did last season. The Colts added receiver Devin Funchess in free agency, drafted slot weapon Parris Campbell in the second round, and should have tight end Jack Doyle back healthy after he only suited up for six games in 2018.

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