Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former Green Bay Packers Playmaker Joins Division Rival

Originally posted on Packers Coverage | By Kenneth Teape | Last updated 5/17/24

Earlier this offseason, the Green Bay Packers made a difficult decision to release long-time running back Aaron Jones. As if it wasn’t hard enough for the fans to say goodbye, they are now going to have to see him twice this season wearing purple.

Jones signed with the Green Bay Packers’ NFC North rivals, the Minnesota Vikings. You know he will be motivated to play against his former team twice during the 2024 NFL regular season. Alas, he isn’t the only former Green Bay player on the roster.

Joining Jones on the Vikings is former tight end Robert Tonyan. Earlier this week, it was shared by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, along with Jeremy Fowler, that Tonyan will be heading to Minnesota in free agency.

Former Packers TE Robert Tonyan signed with the Vikings, per me and @JFowlerESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 16, 2024

Tonyan is continuing his tour of the NFC North in 2024. The Vikings are the third team in the division he will be suiting up for, as he played for the Chicago Bears in 2023 after leading the Green Bay Packers originally.

Last season with the Bears, Tonyan was able to play in all 17 games. But, he didn’t produce much in an underwhelming passing offense that could only truly support DJ Moore. As the No. 2 tight end behind Cole Kmet, he caught 11 passes for 112 scoreless yards.

He has not been able to replicate the incredible season he had with the Green Bay Packers in 2020. Tonyan became a favorite target of Aaron Rodgers, catching 52 passes for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns.

He looked to be on the path to breaking out, but an injury led to him playing only eight games in 2021. Tonyan bounced back with 53 receptions for 470 yards in 2022 but had a quiet season in Chicago in 2023. He will now look to bounce back in a complementary role behind T.J. Hockenson with the Vikings.

This article first appeared on Packers Coverage and was syndicated with permission.

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