While Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce announced his return for the 2025 season, the team is preparing for his decline and eventual departure.
Kelce is irreplaceable; but the Chiefs are prepared.
On Tuesday, March 11, Kansas City signed former Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan to a one-year contract.
Undrafted out of Indiana State in 2018, Tonyan spent five seasons in Green Bay and became one of Aaron Rodgers' favorite targets. He caught 11 touchdowns from the MVP quarterback in 2020 but has declined since then.
Tonyan spent last season primarily with the Minnesota Vikings but finished the year on the Chiefs' practice squad.
Many fans, unaware of Tonyan's status in the league, responded in an uproar on social media as the NFL's official X account's post of the signing went viral with over a million views.
"This is actually pretty big. This is a really underrated TE," one fan wrote. "He matters into Mahomes favorite target post—- Kelce."
"Travis Kelce better watch out his job gonna be taken," another fan commented.
"Is this Kelce’s replacement for when he retires," one commenter wrote.
Another weary Chiefs fan echoed the same sentiment: "We’re getting ready for Kelce’s retirement aren’t we?🥲"
"Kelce's replacement - Big Bob Tonyan," another fan wrote.
Last year, Tonyan flashed in Vikings training camp and was considered the top option to replace T.J. Hockenson, recovering from hamstring surgery, for the first half of the season.
However, a back injury derailed the rest of Tonyan's training camp, and he never quite carved out a role, appearing in five games but failing to log a single stat.
That's not to say Tonyan won't play a role with the Chiefs, but for now, as one fan suggested, it's a move for depth purposes.
"With Kelce aging, bringing in Tonyan gives the Chiefs another veteran option at TE. Good move for depth," they wrote.
