Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Robert Tonyan has struggled to find his footing in the NFL over the past few years. However, his opportunity with the Steelers provides something his last couple of spots haven’t: A chance to rekindle his connection with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The two played together in Green Bay from 2017-2022. During the span, Tonyan racked up 137 catches for 1,437 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Since then, the 32-year-old has only been able to record 12 catches for 113 yards and zero touchdowns with the Chicago Bears (2023) and Kansas City Chiefs (2025).
Tonyan’s path to playing, nonetheless starting, will be difficult in a tight end room highlighted by Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. But the third tight end spot is up for grabs and he could prove himself worthy with the help of Rodgers.
That’s the role Tonyan served in Kansas City last season behind starter Travis Kelce and backup Noah Gray.
6-foot-5, 240 pounds, 32 years old, 10th pro season
Acquired: The Steelers signed Tonyan to a one-year free-agent contract in June after spending last season with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Last year: Tonyan entered 2025 after a disappointing season with the Chicago Bears, and unfortunately, found a new low, recording just one catch for one yard, despite appearing in all 17 games with the Chiefs.
Pro career: Tonyan entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of the 2017 NFL Draft. He signed with the Detroit Lions, but was cut and joined the Packers shortly after.
From then on, Tonyan continued to grow his role in Green Bay, topping off with 52 receptions for a career-high 586 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2020.
Tonyan was still productive for another two seasons, but the Packers decided not to retain him following the 2022 season.
That is when Tonyan joined the Bears on a one-year deal, but he had just 11 catches for 112 yards, capping his stint in Chicago to one year.
He then joined the Minnesota Vikings the following season, however, he recorded no statistics while bouncing between the team’s practice squad and active roster.
In 2025, Tonyan solidified a role on Kansas City’s active roster, but he failed to become the impact player he once was.
Tonyan, a McHenry, Illinois, native, played his collegiate ball for Indiana State (2012-26), and started for four years after redshirting his first year.
He appeared in 11 games in 2013, starting three as a quarterback. Tonyan then transitioned to wide receiver and caught 54 passes for 747 yards and four touchdowns.
Tonyan followed that up with 40 receptions for 601 yards and six touchdowns in 2015, despite starting just six of 11 games. That earned him an honorable mention on the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference team.
As a fifth-year senior, Tonyan had 56 receptions for 699 yards and a school-record ten touchdowns.
He finished his collegiate career...
