After spending six seasons with the Packers, Robert Tonyan is moving to a division rival. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the tight end is signing with the Bears.
After not catching on with the Lions as an undrafted free agent, Tonyan joined the Packers in 2017. He didn’t play as a rookie and most appeared on special teams as a sophomore, but the tight end started to get some work on offense in 2019.
He had his breakout season in 2020, hauling in 52 receptions for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was hit with a second-round tender (and a sizable pay raise) the following offseason, but he only got into eight games in 2021 before tearing his ACL. Tonyan managed to return and appear in all 17 games this past year, collecting a career-high 53 receptions for 470 yards and two touchdowns.
Pro Football Focus has never been a fan of Tonyan, but that’s partly due to his abysmal blocking score. He’ll probably be on the field for sets that call for a pair of tight ends, with the free agent acquisition pairing with 2022 starter Cole Kmet.
The Packers offense will look a whole lot different next season with Aaron Rodgers, Allen Lazard, and likely Randall Cobb out the door. Tight end Marcedes Lewis is also a free agent, potentially opening up snaps for former third-round pick Josiah Deguara.
Here come the hot takes from Bears fans, just like every time they sign a ex-Packers player. Dude is washed, lost all explosiveness after surgery. Try and draft rather than signing retreads.
I figured it meant Rodgers is getting traded to Chicago instead of the Jets…
A one year deal probably in the 2 million range for a backup TE…If he stinks, move on. I’m not understanding the hostility??
As a Bears fan, this dude is washed. He’s lost all explosiveness after surgery.
Yeah, but the real question is…Has the dude lost any of his explosiveness since his surgery? A question no one seems to want to answer.
He has lost a lot of his explosiveness after that surgery. Watching him play this season you could tell
Why is no one talking about how washed he is?
He’s washed. Obviously the Packers were too stupid to put him in the dryer. Getsy will make sure he’s dry this year. Then a fluff and fold and 20 TD’s.
Reminds me a lot of the Jets and taking the packers sloppy seconds. Draft and Develop some teams tho don’t know what that means
Yes.
Now that the Bears have signed a backup TE they likely will give away all 10 of the picks they have accumulated for the 2023 draft.
This take makes perfect sense.
3 decades of HOF QB play, two championships, countless letdowns
He’s their 1b TE… settle down
Nothing like sour grapes from a cheesehead with nothing to gloat about now. I’d say your comments have lost all their “explosiveness.” Get some new material and welcome back to the real world.
Suck it
Sycamore pride.
GB is drafting a TE, likely early so this makes sense.
And they resigned Tyler Davis!
I guess this means Rodgers is signing with the Bears
Oh is it going to be a long year in Green Bay
Yeah, it’s gonna be great!!
With all that cap room, the best the Bears can sign is Tonyan? Geez, I thought their front office was turning things around.
They’re going to wait til next year. Just spend a little this year and focus on draft this year.
Just because you have it doesn’t mean you have to spend it stupidly. This just isn’t the free agent group that you want to push all of your chips in on. You build a winner through the draft and then when you feel like you’re close you go big game hunting in free agency. The Bears just aren’t there yet.
Bears fans you will be happy with Tonyan as a backup TE.
I still think the Bears draft a TE, but Tonyan is a good 2nd option for this season.