Robert Tonyan is the latest Minnesota Vikings addition.
The Minnesota Vikings are signing veteran tight end Robert Tonyan, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Tonyan, 30, is in his seventh year in the NFL and has played for two other NFC North teams. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
After going undrafted, Tonyan spent most of his time in Green Bay after the Packers signed him late in the 2017 season. After not getting much action in 2018 and 2019, Tonyan had a breakout year in 2020. He had 52 receptions for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns without missing a game. He added eight catches for 82 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs.
Tonyan then tore his ACL during the 2021 season but returned to play all 17 games in 2022 and 2023. He signed with the Chicago Bears last offseason and served mainly as a secondary tight end. Tonyan started six games and caught 11 passes for 112 yards. He did not score a touchdown, marking the first season in his six-year career he did not find the end zone.
Tonyan started 24 of the 85 games he's played in the NFL. He's scored 17 touchdowns and averages over 10 yards per reception. Those are not bad numbers for an undrafted player from an FCS school.
Robert Tonyan has a chance to earn a multitude of snaps in the early portion of the season. Starting tight end TJ Hockenson tore his ACL and MCL last December and will probably begin the season on injured reserve. The other tight ends on the Vikings' roster include Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt and Nick Muse.
Vikings in a transition period
The Vikings will look a little different on the field in 2024. Kirk Cousins is no longer under center and the team might have multiple starters at quarterback throughout the season.
Minnesota is a tough team to project this year and will be one squad that is a “wait and see” product. We might not be able to get a true evaluation of them until a few weeks into the season.
The Vikings are coming off a seven-win season, starting four different quarterbacks. It was a tough position to be in after Cousins went down with a torn Achilles. Minnesota won the division and 13 games in the regular season in 2022. The Vikings could not replicate that in 2023.
With Cousins gone the Vikings drafted a QB in the first round, national champion JJ McCarthy. The 21-year-old might not start right away with Minnesota possibly installing Sam Darnold as their starting QB in Week 1, but the Vikings would be foolish not to give him multiple starts this season. The only thing stopping that would be Darnold playing lights out.
The Vikings have a pretty even schedule in 2024, ranking 18th in strength of schedule among the 32 NFL teams. Minnesota faces five playoff teams from last season, including two meetings each with the Packers and Detroit Lions.
Kevin O'Connell could garner some coach of the year votes if the Vikings stay in the hunt deep into the season and flirt with a winning record. If Justin Jefferson is himself again Minnesota's offense should be in good shape. The Vikings could be a team to watch in 2024.
