The 2020 Green Bay Packers were one of the most entertaining teams the franchise has had in recent memory. Being in his second year in head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense, and motivated by Green Bay’s decision to select Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers had one of the best seasons by a player at his position in NFL history.
That year, Rodgers led the NFL in completion percentage (70.7%), touchdown passes (48), passer rating (121.5), and QBR (79.8). He also threw for 4,299 yards and just five interceptions while winning his third NFL MVP Award.
But Rodgers was not the only player on the Packers roster to set franchise records that year. Tight end Robert Tonyan, who had been on the team for two years at that point but seldomly used, had the best year of his career, catching 52 passes for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns.
His 11 touchdowns in 2020 tied the franchise record for the most in a season by a tight end.
Robert Tonyan Had His Time with the Green Bay Packers Derailed by a Knee Injury
Tonyan was off to a good start to Green Bay’s 2021 season. Through eight games, he had 18 receptions for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately for him and the Packers, he tore his ACL midseason and missed the rest of the year.
Tonyan made a full recovery and came back in 2022 to set a career high in receptions with 53, but that particular season was the end for many veterans in Green Bay. He finished the year with 470 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
After the season, both Tonyan and his fellow veteran tight end, Marcedes Lewis, were allowed to leave in free agency as the Packers drafted Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft.
Former Green Bay Packers Tight End Robert Tonyan Played for the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings
Not many players can say that they have, at one point, played for every team in the NFC North. But Tonyan now can.
Prior to coming to Green Bay in 2018, he was on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad. After leaving the Packers, Tonyan played for the Chicago Bears in 2023. He had just 11 receptions for 112 yards.
This year, Tonyan has been with the Minnesota Vikings, mostly on their practice squad. While he has appeared in five games, he was mostly used on special teams. Tonyan was not even targeted in the 15 offensive snaps he did get with the Vikings.
And it does not seem like he will be given the opportunity going forward either. Yesterday, it was reported that Minnesota had released the former Packers tight end:
The #Vikings have signed QB Daniel Jones and OLB Gabriel Murphy to the practice squad.
T Julian Pearl and TE Robert Tonyan have been released from the practice squad. pic.twitter.com/xQclyz7eCT
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 29, 2024
Now a free agent, Tonyan is free to sign with any team in the NFL, and given his pedigree, he should get a job on a practice squad before too long.
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