The Chicago Bears have begun their training camp this week following a busy offseason which featured the acquisition of wide receiver DJ Moore, the drafting of offensive tackle Darnell Wright, and the free agent signing of offensive guard Nate Davis. One of general manager Ryan Poles’ lesser notable moves this offseason was the signing of free agent tight end Robert Tonyan. Tonyan’s signing has the potential to be the most pivotal addition to Chicago’s offense, as depth and talent behind Cole Kmet was a glaring issue last season.
Tonyan Is A Proven NFL Tight End That Can Make Added Difference For Chicago’s Offense
Tonyan comes to Chicago after spending the last five seasons with the Green Bay Packers, where he served as the primary tight end for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In the role for the Packers, the former Indiana State tight end caught 137 passes and had over 1,400 receiving yards over the past five years. Tonyan’s best season in Green Bay came in 2020 when he recorded 11 touchdown catches and had 586 receiving yards while having a reception in all but one game that year.
The amount of time Tonyan spent in Green Bay should be noted because of working with current Bears’ offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. Getsy served as the Packers’ quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator from 2019 to 2021 before joining Matt Eberflus’ staff last season. Chicago’s offensive coordinator was with Tonyan and will know how to utilize the tight end to the best of his ability this season with quarterback Justin Fields.
Although Tonyan might not be the flashiest tight end, he provides a proven level of consistency behind Kmet as another passing target over the middle of the field. Green Bay’s former tight end caught at least one pass in each game he played over the past three seasons. Tonyan has averaged 41 receptions over his last three seasons with the Packers and has a career average of ten and a half yards per reception.
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Given the additional pieces added to the Bears’ offense this offseason, Tonyan can serve as a solid passing target when Chicago utilizes two-tight end formations and when opposing defenses look to take Kmet away from Fields. With defensive coverage likely being assigned to Moore, Darnell Mooney, and Chase Claypool at the wide receiver position, there will be ample opportunity to have passing plays targeting the middle of the field.
Chicago’s Tight End Position Was Very Thin At Depth Behind Kmet
Last season, the Bears were extremely fortunate that Kmet remained healthy for the entire year, as their backup tight ends provided little to no production. Ryan Griffith and Trevon Wesco combined for only six receptions and 52 yards while not having a single touchdown. Kmet, despite not having a catch in the first two games of the 2023 season, caught 50 passes and had seven touchdown receptions in Chicago’s last ten games.
With Tonyan’s potential, he could outproduce what Griffith and Wesco combined to provide the Bears last season. The ability to have a steady and consistent tight-end target is immense in the potential case that Kmet goes down with an injury. If Chicago’s starting tight end is lost for any time with an injury, the drop-off in talent may not be too severe given the presence of the Packers’ former starting tight end on the roster.
The signing of Tonyan isn’t the first time Chicago has brought in a tight end that had prior experience with someone on the team. In 2020, then general manager Ryan Pace signed tight end Jimmy Graham, who had been an All-Pro and was selected to multiple Pro Bowls with the New Orleans Saints. Before being hired by the Bears in 2015, Pace was a part of the Saint front office during Graham’s prominent success. With the Bears in 2020 and 2021, the former All-Pro recorded 11 touchdown receptions and 623 receiving yards while sharing time with Kmet. Tonyan’s experience with Getsy could lead to a similar level of production at the tight-end position, which was seen just a few years ago.
Poles did a tremendous job this past offseason to upgrade and solidify multiple positions on offense for the Bears. Adding Tonyan gives Chicago one of the better tight-end duos in the NFL, as he and Kmet have provided sustained production over multiple seasons. Fields, with depth at the position, could have a breakout season as a passer having passing targets on the outside and over the middle.
Tonyan is a good pickup. He’s more than just depth as he allows 2TE formations like the Colts used to use to great success as it’s hard to tell if run or pass is coming. More stuff that will be fun to watch.