Former Bear Signs With NFC North Rival for 2024

Robert Tonyan didn’t make many plays in his one year with the Chicago Bears, but that hasn’t stopped the veteran tight end from finding another opportunity.

Tonyan signed a deal with the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, making it the third NFC North team he’s played for in his career. Before spending the last two seasons with the Bears, Tonyan made a name for himself with the Green Bay Packers.

Former Bears TE Robert Tonyan Signs With the Vikings

The veteran tight end’s best season with the Packers was in 2020 when he had 52 receptions (59 targets) for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Vikings hope the 30-year-old tight end can turn back the clock to 2020 this season and give them another passing threat.

Meanwhile, Tonyan didn’t live up to the expectations set for him as the Bears’ No. 2 tight end behind Cole Kmet. At the time, the former Packers tight end was signed to a one-year, $2.65 million contract, which seemed like great value based on his play in Green Bay.

However, the former Indiana State tight end had 11 receptions (17 targets) for 112 yards last season. Based on his lack of production, the Bears didn’t re-sign Tonyan and upgraded the TE2 spot with Gerald Everett in free agency.

Everett, who has been a solid receiving threat in his NFL career, was signed to a two-year, $12 million deal by Chicago. Last season with the Los Angeles Chargers, the 29-year-old posted 51 receptions (70 targets) for 411 yards and three touchdowns.

Everett likely won’t have that many receptions and targets, with the Bears having a star-studded wide receiver room. However, the former Chargers tight end should be a massive upgrade over Tonyan.

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