Former Bears pass-catcher who made $3 million inks deal with Vikings

Over the past few seasons, the Chicago Bears have exchanged players with their NFC North rivals quite frequently, and now another pass-catcher has joined the entire division.

The Minnesota Vikings have signed Robert Tonyan Jr., making them the fourth and final team in the NFC North to roster the tight end.

"The #Vikings have signed TE Robert Tonyan and waived LB Donovan Manuel," the Vikings' official X account announced on May 17.

Tonyan's time with the Bears last season was under a $2.65 million contract. He played in all 17 games, starting six of them, and recorded 11 catches for 112 receiving yards on 17 targets, according to Pro Football Reference. However, he did not score any touchdowns.

Before joining the Bears, Tonyan spent five years with the Green Bay Packers, where he became a favorite target of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Tonyan's NFL journey started with the Detroit Lions in 2017, although he did not appear in any regular-season games for the team and earned only $28,800 for his time on their practice squad, as reported by Spotrac.

Tonyan may see significant playing time against the Bears when the Vikings face them in Week 12 in November. However, his role might be limited as he could serve as a temporary fill-in for T.J. Hockenson, the Vikings' main tight end, who is recovering from a knee injury and is expected to return before the Bears' matchups.

Cole Kmet Leading the Bears' Revamped Passing Attack

The Chicago Bears' tight end, Cole Kmet, is anticipated to be a key part of their potent passing attack in 2024. Last season, Kmet achieved career-highs with 73 catches, 719 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. He will continue to be a significant target in an enhanced passing game that now includes wide receivers Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze alongside DJ Moore. Additionally, Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2024, will be the new starting quarterback, replacing Justin Fields in Week 1.

Last year, Kmet ranked second in all major receiving categories for the Bears, trailing only DJ Moore, according to StatMuse. However, with the new offensive additions and the expected increase in passing under Williams, Kmet's role may change in 2024.

The offseason changes in Chicago made Tonyan, primarily known for his pass-catching abilities, an unnecessary player on a roster that did not utilize him much even when it would have been beneficial last season.