Just in: NFC North tour continues with Vikings signing former Packers and Bears tight end
Just in: NFC North tour continues with Vikings signing former Packers and Bears tight end
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, veteran tight end Robert Tonyan is joining the Minnesota Vikings. Tonyan, 30, has played for two different NFC North clubs over his seven years in the NFL. The agreement’s specifics were not made public.
Tonyan, who was signed by the Packers late in the 2017 season after going undrafted, played the most of his tenure in Green Bay. Tonyan enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2020 following a quiet 2018 and 2019. Without missing a game, he recorded 52 receptions for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns. In the postseason, he added eight catches for 82 yards and a touchdown.
After that, in the 2021 season, Tonyan tore his ACL, but he was able to participate in all 17 games in 2022 and 2023. He was primarily used as a backup tight end when he signed with the Chicago Bears during the summer. Tonyan caught 11 catches for 112 yards while starting six games. It was the first time in his six-year career that he had failed to find the end zone as he failed to score a touchdown.
Out of the 85 games Tonyan has played in the NFL, 24 have been starts. With 17 touchdowns to his credit, he averages more than 10 yards per catch. For an FCS player who was not selected in the draft, they are respectable stats.
During the first part of the season, Robert Tonyan could see a lot of snaps. TJ Hockenson, the starting tight end, tore his MCL and ACL in December of last year, and he will likely start the season on injured reserve. The Vikings also have Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, and Nick Muse as tight ends on their roster.
Vikings going through a change
In 2024, the Vikings will appear on the field somewhat differently. Since Kirk Cousins is no longer starting at quarterback, the team may use a number of quarterbacks throughout the season.
This year, Minnesota is a difficult club to estimate and will be a “wait and see” squad. It may take a few weeks into the season before we can truly assess them.
After seven wins in their previous year, the Vikings started four different quarterbacks. Being in this situation after Cousins was injured with a torn Achilles was not easy. In 2022, Minnesota became victorious in both the division and 13 regular season games. In 2023, the Vikings were unable to duplicate that.
After Cousins left, the Vikings selected national champion quarterback JJ McCarthy in the first round of the draft. The Vikings would be stupid not to give the 21-year-old numerous starts this season, even though he might not start right away with Minnesota likely to debut Sam Darnold as their starting quarterback in Week 1. Darnold playing lights out would be the only thing preventing that.
The Vikings, who are ranked 18th out of 32 NFL teams in terms of schedule strength, have a fairly equal schedule in 2024. Minnesota will play five of the previous season’s playoff teams, including two matchups with the Detroit Lions and Packers.
If the Vikings continue to be competitive well into the season and threaten for a winning record, Kevin O’Connell may receive some votes for coach of the year. Minnesota’s offensive ought to be in fine position if Justin Jefferson is back to his former self. In 2024, the Vikings might be a club to keep an eye on.
