This offseason, the Chicago Bears added a few more playmakers on offense to help Caleb Williams. Chicago drafted University of Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden and University of Michigan tight end Colston Loveland. While both will play big roles for the Bears going into the future, Loveland will have some immediate impact, taking pressure off of Cole Kmet
That said, Chicago has tried to take pressure off of Kmet the past two seasons by adding veteran tight ends. Last year, the Bears signed Gerald Everett. Everett failed to make any impact at all with the team catching just eight passes for 36 yards.
The year prior, the Bears signed Robert Tonyan. Similar to Everett, Tonyan didn't provide what anyone expected. He only recorded 11 receptions for 112 yards and had two drops. Despite struggling with Chicago, the 31-year-old tight end seems to be having a resurgence during training camp and the preseason with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Former Bears TE Robert Tonyan Flourishing with the Chiefs
After leaving Chicago, the 31-year-old signed with the Minnesota Vikings. After recording no stats in four games with the Vikings, Tonyan was released. He then signed with the Chiefs in December of last year.
Though he remained on their practice squad the rest of the year, he is making a case to stay on the Chiefs in 2025. Reports from Chiefs training camp say that Tonyan has been working with the first, second and third teams. Despite most of his action coming with the second and third units, he has still shown he has something left in the tank.
During Kansas City's preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals, Tonyan caught three passes on four targets for 49 yards. Just like he has been doing in practice, he showed he can find soft spots in the defense to exploit for easy yards. Tonyan's success likely means he will be the Chiefs' TE3 in 2025.
Even so, concerns about his health given his age are a question. That could mean Tonyan doesn't get as much playing time in the next preseason games if some of the Chiefs' other tight ends return. If that doesn't happen, Bears fans will likely see Tonyan play when the two teams face off in nine days in each team's last preseason game.