Green Bay Packers Re-Sign or Let Go & Prediction: Robert Tonyan
By Paul Bretl
Why the Green Bay Packers would re-sign Robert Tonyan
In short, there is no other tight end currently on the Green Bay Packers roster that can impact the passing game like Robert Tonyan. Josiah Deguara is a pass-catching option, but he and Tonyan are asked to do two different things within this offense. Meanwhile, Marcedes Lewis, Dominique Dafney, and Tyler Davis make their impact more so as blockers.
This is a Green Bay Packers offense that sorely missed Tonyan’s presence last season–both over the middle of the field, down the seam, as well as in the red zone. It’s not a coincidence that the offense was playing their best during the final weeks of the season when there was more steady production in the passing game from the tight end position.
Whether it be Tonyan, another free agent, or a draft pick, the Packers need to find that pass-catching threat at the tight end position this offseason if this offense is going to regain some of its 2020 form. And when looking at potential draft picks, it’s important to keep in mind that rookie tight ends rarely find much success during that first season.
Having that true pass-catching threat and move tight end is an important element to Matt LaFleur’s offense as it opens up the passing game for others and helps achieve that illusion of complexity that he is striving for–not to mention that Tonyan has continued to improve as a blocker as well.
"“He is a major piston in our engine, and he brings everything to light,” said former tight ends coach Justin Outten last season via Packers.com. “The responsibility he has on his plate, whether it’s a chip or a run block or he’s going out in a route, he takes pride in it. I’m just proud of his process and sticking with everything that’s asked of him. I’m just excited to see the whole picture coming into play here. “One-trick ponies in this league – if you’re a pass-catcher and that’s all you do – it doesn’t really survive in this system. You gotta have the grit and the grit and the smarts and toughness and resilience and you gotta also have the right mindset.”"