Vikings Logical Fit for Ex-Packers Tight End Robert Tonyan Jr.

Robert Tonyan Offers Vikings Better Pass-Catching TE Than Any Backup on Roster

GettyFormer Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan Jr.

Tonyan is a six-year NFL vet, playing his first five seasons in Green Bay alongside quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Though he never produced a monster campaign, Tonyan has been reliable when healthy.

He has appeared in 85 career games, including 24 starts. Over that span, Tonyan has caught 148 passes for 1,549 yards and 17 TDs. His best season, which came in 2020, resulted in 52 receptions for 586 yards and 11 scores.

So while Tonyan isn’t a world-beater as a pass-catcher, the 30-year-old is more viable than any of the TEs behind Hockenson on the Vikings’ roster. The trio of Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt and Nick Muse combined for just 39 catches, 385 receiving yards and 3 TDs last season, according to ESPN.

Beyond Tonyan’s numbers, Rodgers’ multiple endorsements of him before the quarterback departed Green Bay offer an indication of the type of player Minnesota would be getting.

“He’s really gifted. He has great hands, he’s a really intuitive route-runner. He’s got great instincts,” Rodgers said of Tonyan in September 2022. “He’s made a couple of plays in practice that are just different than what we’ve had from those other guys in his absence. And it’s no disrespect to those guys. It’s just that the level that he’s capable of playing at is at that Pro Bowl-caliber level.”

For the record, Tonyan has never been a Pro Bowler and any chance he had of achieving that level of success is likely behind him. But Minnesota doesn’t need a Pro Bowler, it just needs a serviceable replacement at a reasonable cost until Hockenson returns. Tonyan can provide that after earning just $2.65 million in his one campaign with the Bears last season.

Hunter Renfrow Could Be Answer to Vikings’ Need at WR3

GettyFormer Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow.

A longer-term need for the Vikings is a third receiver to start in the slot alongside All-Pro Justin Jefferson and standout 2023 rookie Jordan Addison. One player who could be an answer is free agent Hunter Renfrow, formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell made a case for Renfrow to the Vikings on May 14.

“The Vikings brought in Trent Sherfield this offseason and could expand Brandon Powell’s role, but Renfrow has a much more productive season in his recent past than either player has had at any point during their respective careers,” Barnwell wrote. “Renfrow would probably be competing with Powell for the third wideout and punt returner role in Minnesota, a battle he could win if given the opportunity.”