Behind the Steel Curtain
Just hours after signing tight end Darnell Washington to a four-year $42 million dollar contract extension, the Pittsburgh Steelers have added another tight end to their roster tight end to their roster in Robert Tonyan. The former teammate of Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has joined the Steelers 90-man roster on a one-year deal after a minicamp tryout earlier this week, as reported by ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. Tonyan was one of five players that the Steelers brought in for a tryout this week.
The tight end spent the first five years of his career in Green Bay, highlighted by an 11-touchdown season in 2020. Tonyan has also spent time with the Bears, Chiefs, and Vikings throughout his career.
Rodgers has a history of reconnecting with former teammates throughout his NFL career. During his time with the Jets, the team added pass catchers Allen Lazard and Davante Adams. The Steelers have also been willing to bring in some familiar pass catchers for Rodgers, as Marquez Valdes-Scantling spent time with the team last season. Tonyan is the latest example and now slots in as the current third tight end on the Steelers roster behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington.
Tonyan has caught just one pass in the last two seasons, but still provides critical depth behind Friermuth and Washington. Rookie fifth-rounder Riley Nowakowski also has experience as a tight end, but is listed as a fullback on the team’s website. The connection to Rodgers and uncertain depth at the position gives Tonyan a real chance to fight for a roster spot this summer.
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