The Minnesota Vikings are surely in the hunt for the top record in the NFL after securing the 13th such victory in their 2024 campaign. Only one team has a better record: the Kansas City Chiefs at 14-1. Andy Reid’s club has won the past two Super Bowls, and although it hasn’t always been pretty, they keep evading the Super Bowl hangover once again.
Ex-Vikings Tight End Joins the Super Bowl Champions
Patrick Mahomes has not been at his best throughout the season, but he is getting it done in high-leverage situations. Future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce might be in one of his last seasons, but he remains the go-to guy when the Chiefs “have to have it,” to quote Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell’s favorite sentence.
Former Viking Robert Tonyan will join the tight end in the position meeting room. The franchise announced on Monday, “We have signed TE Robert Tonyan to the Practice Squad.”
Tonyan spent the preseason and the majority of the 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings and even appeared in five contests with the purple team.
He signed in the offseason and earned some buzz in OTAs and early in training camp. With T.J. Hockenson sidelined, there was an opening at TE. However, the Vikes leaned on Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt. Tonyan played in five games but didn’t catch a pass on 15 offensive snaps. He also had 37 special team reps.
Prior to his purple chapter, he spent time with the other three NFC franchises.
In 90 career games (24 starts), Tonyan recorded 1,549 yards and 17 touchdowns. In roughly half of those contests, Tonyan was a backup, which deflates his numbers.
He led all tight ends in receiving touchdowns in his prime season with the Packers in 2020 when he logged 586 yards and 11 touchdowns in 16 games. He continued to produce in 2021 and 2022, followed by a slow season with the Bears.
Tonyan moved between 53-man roster and practice squad a few times this season. The Vikings ultimately released him from the practice squad on November 29.
Minnesota currently rosters five tight ends.
- T.J. Hockenson
- Josh Oliver
- Johnny Mundt
- Nick Muse (practice squad)
- Sammis Reyes (practice squad)
With the Chiefs, Tonyan might get a chance at some point because the Chiefs often feature tight ends, even besides Kelce. Noah Gray has registered 430 yards and five touchdowns.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt