You’d be hard-pressed to find a tougher man in NFL history than Mike Ditka, but Brock Bowers makes his case. On Sunday, Bowers tied Ditka’s 63-year-old NFL record for receiving yards by a rookie tight end.

Bowers began the day with 1,067 yards receiving on the year, just 10 shy of Ditka’s record. Late in the second quarter of Las Vegas’ game against New Orleans, Bowers caught a 13-yard pass from Aidan O’Connell and passed Ditka.

Notable for statistical accuracy across eras: Ditka set the record in a 14-game season in 1961. He averaged 19.2 yards per catch and caught 56 ​​passes and 12 touchdowns. It took Bowers 16 games, and with 101 receptions on Sunday, he needed almost twice as many receptions to keep up with Ditka. Those 101 receptions are already a close rookie record; he has scored four touchdowns this season.

Bowers entered the day just four receptions behind the Rams’ Puka Nacua for the overall rookie record; As a rookie last season, Nacua had 105 receptions. Nacua also holds the overall rookie receiver yardage record with 1,485 yards; It’s unlikely that Bowers will catch Nacua, but then there’s Week 18.

After his spectacular rookie season, Ditka played for Chicago, Philadelphia and Dallas for a total of twelve years. He was named to multiple Pro Bowls and All-Pro lists and later had some success as coach of the Bears.

It’s not yet clear whether Ditka will retire next week just to prove he can still make it at Bowers’ level. This is very much on the table.