Vikings Sign Former Packers Tight End
The Minnesota Vikings begin OTAs next week.
Prior to the start of those practices, though, the Vikings have made yet another roster move this week, signing tight end Robert Tonyan.
Vikings Sign TE Robert Tonyan
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the news on Thursday, tweeting, “Former Bears and Packers TE Robert Tonyan signed with the Vikings, per me and @JFowlerESPN.”
Tonyan spent his collegiate years at Indiana State before signing with the Packers as an undrafted free agent. The tight end didn’t get much of a role in Green Bay for his first couple seasons, catching just 14 passes for 177 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 2018 and 2019.
The Indiana State product then burst onto the scene in 2020 for Green Bay, totaling 52 receptions for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns as the Packers made a run to the NFC Championship Game.
Tonyan then suffered an injury during the 2021 season that limited him to just eight games, and ever since then, he has never quite reached the same level as his 2020 self. In 2022, he put together 53 receptions for 470 yards and two touchdowns for Green Bay.
Then, the tight end hopped to a different NFC North team in 2023, signing with the Chicago Bears. Playing primarily in a reserve role behind Cole Kmet, Tonyan had 11 receptions for 112 yards last year.
One of the big questions for the Minnesota Vikings this offseason revolves around the health of TE T.J. Hockenson.
The Pro Bowler suffered a torn ACL and torn MCL against the Detroit Lions in Week 16 of the 2023 regular season, and he has been on the shelf ever since. The Vikings added Sammis Reyes earlier this week, and now, they bring in even more veteran insurance with the signing of Tonyan.
The Vikings also announced that they would be releasing LB Donovan Manuel in order to make room for Tonyan on the roster.
Editor’s Note: Statistics from this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
NFL.com Projects 2024 Vikings Schedule to Be One of the Hardest in the League
