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Robert Tonyan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Robert Tonyan
BERJAYA
Tonyan with the Green Bay Packers in 2021
No. 83 – Pittsburgh Steelers
PositionTight end
Roster statusActive
Personal information
Born (1994-04-30) April 30, 1994 (age 32)
McHenry, Illinois, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High schoolMcHenry East
CollegeIndiana State (2012–2016)
NFL draft2017: undrafted
Career history
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics as of 2025
Receptions149
Receiving yards1,550
Receiving touchdowns17
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Robert Joseph Tonyan Jr. (/tʌnjən/ TUN-yən;[1] born April 30, 1994) is an American professional football tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Indiana State Sycamores, and signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2017.[2] Tonyan played for the Green Bay Packers for five seasons from 2018 to 2022 and has also played for the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and Kansas City Chiefs.

Early life

[edit]

Tonyan attended McHenry Community High School – East Campus. He lettered twice in basketball and football. As a quarterback, he was named all-conference as a junior and senior, and set the school record with 5,000 career passing yards.[3]

College career

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Tonyan enrolled at Indiana State in 2012, and started for four years after redshirting his first year. He appeared in 11 games in 2013, starting three as a quarterback. His first career completion was a 57-yard touchdown, and he completed 35 of 102 passes for 348 yards and three touchdowns.[3] His second year, he moved to wide receiver, where he caught 54 passes for 747 yards (6th in school history)[4] and four touchdowns, including a career-high 172 yards in the last game of the season (seventh in school history).[4] In his 2015 junior season, Tonyan had 40 receptions for 601 yards (fourteenth in school history) and six touchdowns despite starting just six of 11 games, which earned him an honorable mention on the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference team. As a fifth-year senior, Tonyan had 56 receptions for 699 yards (ninth all-time) and a school-record ten touchdowns. He set several career records for the Sycamores, including 20 touchdown receptions, 21 consecutive games with a reception, two games with three receiving touchdowns, and was second all-time to Sam Logan with 150 receptions and 2,047 yards.[4]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Wingspan 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+5⁄8 in
(1.95 m)		 236 lb
(107 kg)		 32+1⁄2 in
(0.83 m)		 10+1⁄4 in
(0.26 m)		 6 ft 5+1⁄4 in
(1.96 m)		 4.58 s 1.53 s 2.60 s 4.34 s 7.12 s 35.0 in
(0.89 m)		 10 ft 5 in
(3.18 m)		 16 reps
All values from Indiana State's Pro Day[5]

Detroit Lions

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On May 12, 2017, the Detroit Lions signed Tonyan to a three-year, $1.66 million contract as an undrafted free agent.[6] His signing made him the tenth Indiana State football player to reach the NFL.[7] He was released before the season began.[8]

Green Bay Packers

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Tonyan was signed to the practice squad of the Green Bay Packers for the final four games of the 2017 season, and was re-signed for the 2018 season.[3] He appeared in the first nine games of the season, but was targeted just once before his first NFL reception, a 54-yard touchdown from Aaron Rodgers against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 11.[9] He totaled four receptions for 77 receiving yards and one touchdown on the 2018 season.[10]

BERJAYA
Tonyan in 2019, celebrating a touchdown with a Lambeau Leap

In 2019, the Packers tendered exclusive rights to Tonyan.[11] On December 8, 2019, Tonyan caught a 12-yard pass for a touchdown in a 20–15 win over the Washington Redskins. He totaled ten receptions for 100 receiving yards on the 2019 season.[12]

On April 24, 2020, the Packers re-signed Tonyan as an exclusive-rights free agent, putting him under contract in Green Bay for another year.[13][14] On September 20, 2020, Tonyan caught an 11-yard touchdown pass in a 42–21 win over the Lions in Week 2.[15] In a nationally televised Monday Night Football game on October 5, 2020, Tonyan caught six passes for 98 yards, including three touchdown passes, to lead the Packers over the Atlanta Falcons 30–16.[16] He finished the 2020 season with 52 receptions for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns.[17] His 11 receiving touchdowns tied with Travis Kelce for the league lead among tight ends.[18] In the NFC Championship against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tonyan recorded four catches for 22 yards and a touchdown during the 31–26 loss.[19]

The Packers placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Tonyan on March 17, 2021.[20] On May 27, Tonyan signed his tender worth $3.4 million.[21] On October 28, 2021, Tonyan tore the ACL in his left knee during the Packers week 8 game against the Arizona Cardinals, forcing him to miss the remainder of the 2021 season.[22] He was placed on injured reserve on November 1, 2021.[23] He finished the 2021 season with 18 receptions for 204 yards and two touchdowns.[24]

On March 20, 2022, Tonyan re-signed with the Packers on a one-year contract.[25] He finished the 2022 season with 53 receptions for 470 yards and two touchdowns.[26]

Chicago Bears

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On March 16, 2023, Tonyan signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears.[27] He played in all 17 games for the Bears and caught 11 passes for 112 yards.[28]

Minnesota Vikings

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On May 16, 2024, Tonyan signed with the Minnesota Vikings.[29] He was released on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad.[30][31] When he did he completed the cycle of signing with one whole division, the NFC North. He was promoted to the active roster on October 3, 2024. After playing in four games, recording no statistics, he was released from the team on October 22, 2024, in favor of signing linebacker Bo Richter. He was subsequently re-signed to the practice squad.[32] He was released on November 29, 2024.[33]

Kansas City Chiefs

[edit]

On December 23, 2024, Tonyan was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.[34]

On March 11, 2025, Tonyan re-signed with the Chiefs.[35] He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts and re-signed with the Chiefs practice squad on August 28. He was promoted to the active roster the next day upon the suspension of Rashee Rice.[36]

Pittsburgh Steelers

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On June 4, 2026, Tonyan signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.[37]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Led the league (for tight ends)
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2018 GB 16 1 4 77 19.3 54T 1 0 0
2019 GB 11 1 10 100 10.0 28 1 0 0
2020 GB 16 8 52 586 11.3 45 11 0 0
2021 GB 8 5 18 204 11.3 33 2 0 0
2022 GB 17 3 53 470 8.9 24 2 0 0
2023 CHI 17 6 11 112 10.2 24 0 0 0
2024 MIN 5 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2025 KC 17 0 1 1 1.0 1 0 0 0
Total 107 24 149 1,550 10.4 54T 17 0 0
Source: pro-football-reference.com

Postseason

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Year Team Games Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2019 GB 2 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2020 GB 2 0 8 82 10.3 33 1 0 0
Total 4 0 8 82 10.3 33 1 0 0
Source: pro-football-reference.com

References

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  1. ^ Howe, Matt (October 22, 2020). "Robert Tonyan reveals correct pronunciation of last name". 247Sports.com. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  2. ^ Styf, Jon (August 14, 2018). "McHenry grad Tonyan trying to grab Packers' attention in training camp". Northwest Herald. Archived from the original on September 15, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Robert Tonyan". packers.com. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c Indiana State Sycamores Media Guide (PDF). 2017. p. 100. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 22, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  5. ^ "Robert Tonyan Jr., DS #43 WR, Indiana State". DraftScout.com. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  6. ^ "Robert Tonyan Jr. Contract Details". Spotrac.com. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  7. ^ "Indiana St. Players/Alumni". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  8. ^ Reisman, Jeremy (September 2, 2017). "Lions waive TEs Robert Tonyan, Khari Lee". Pride Of Detroit. SB Nation. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  9. ^ Jones, Brian (November 15, 2018). "Robert Tonyan scores first NFL TD vs. Seahawks". 24/7 Sports. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  10. ^ "Robert Tonyan 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  11. ^ Western, Evan (March 9, 2019). "Packers begin tendering exclusive-rights free agents by keeping TE Robert Tonyan". Acme Packing Company. SB Nation. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  12. ^ "Robert Tonyan 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  13. ^ Kruse, Zach (March 17, 2020). "Packers tender all 5 exclusive rights free agents". Packers Wire. USA Today. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  14. ^ "Packers' Robert Tonyan: Signs tender". cbssports.com. April 25, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  15. ^ "Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers – September 20th, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  16. ^ Shook, Nick (October 6, 2020). "Packers TE Robert Tonyan introduces himself to NFL with 3-touchdown outburst". National Football League.
  17. ^ "Robert Tonyan 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  18. ^ "2020 NFL Receiving". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  19. ^ "NFC Championship – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers – January 24th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  20. ^ Williams, Charean (March 17, 2021). "Darious Williams only one of 26 RFAs in NFL to receive first-round tender". NBCSports.com. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  21. ^ "Packers' Robert Tonyan: Signs RFA tender". cbssports.com. May 27, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  22. ^ Kruse, Zach (October 29, 2021). "Packers TE Robert Tonyan suffers season-ending ACL tear". Packers Wire. USA Today. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  23. ^ "Packers activate WR Allen Lazard from reserve/COVID-19 list". packers.com. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  24. ^ "Robert Tonyan 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  25. ^ Demovsky, Rob (March 19, 2022). "Sources: Packers TE Tonyan stays on 1-year deal". ESPN. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  26. ^ "Robert Tonyan 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  27. ^ Hajduk, Gabby (March 17, 2023). "Tonyan's pride in hometown fuels return to Chicago". Chicago Bears. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  28. ^ "Robert Tonyan 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  29. ^ "Vikings Sign Tight End Robert Tonyan". Vikings.com. May 16, 2024. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  30. ^ Peters, Craig (August 27, 2024). "Vikings Utilize Reserve Lists During Roster Cuts: T.J. Hockenson on Reserve/PUP". Vikings.com. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  31. ^ Peters, Craig (August 28, 2024). "Vikings Sign 17 Players to 2024 Practice Squad". Vikings.com. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  32. ^ Grindley, Wyatt (October 22, 2024). "Vikings Releasing TE Robert Tonyan, Signing OLB Bo Richter". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  33. ^ "Robert Tonyan: Cut from Minnesota's practice squad". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  34. ^ "Robert Tonyan: Joins Chiefs' practice squad". CBS Sports. December 23, 2024.
  35. ^ Simmons, Myles. "Chiefs sign TE Robert Tonyan, LB Cole Christiansen". NBC Sports. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  36. ^ By; Smith, Michael David; By; Smith, Michael David (August 29, 2025). "Chiefs add Robert Tonyan to active roster, Clyde Edwards-Helaire to practice squad". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  37. ^ "Steelers sign Davis, Tonyan". Steelers.com. June 4, 2026.
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