Report: Steelers Signing TE Robert Tonyan

The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing veteran tight end Robert Tonyan, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. Tonyan spent the past two days trying out in Pittsburgh’s mandatory minicamp, and clearly impressed enough to compel the team to sign him.

Tonyan, 32, reunites with QB Aaron Rodgers after spending several seasons together in Green Bay. Per Pryor, it’s a one-year contract.

Tonyan was one of five players trying out this week. It’s not known if Pittsburgh is signing any of the other four. The Steelers will also need to make a corresponding move to fit Tonyan onto their roster. That has not been announced.

A former undrafted free agent, Tonyan spent six years in Green Bay, 2017-2022. He broke out in 2020, catching 52 passes for nearly 600 yards and 11 touchdowns as the Packers won 13 games and Rodgers finished as the league’s MVP. In 2022, he finished with a 53/470/2 line.

“Every single day I’ve been a Packer, Aaron has pushed me and helped me get better,” Tonyan wrote of Rodgers in a 2021 article for The Players’ Tribune. “And as a result a good friendship has developed that I think is paying dividends on the field. You go the extra mile for the people you truly care about, and that’s what it’s become with Aaron and me, for sure.”

Since playing for the Packers, Tonyan has bounced around several teams. Last year, he appeared in 17 games with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was limited to just one reception for 1 yard, logging 133 offensive snaps and another 108 on special teams.

For his career, Tonyan’s appeared in 107 games with 24 starts. He’s caught 149 passes for 1,550 yards, and 17 touchdowns. He played his college ball at Indiana State and initially signed with the Detroit Lions in 2017. Green Bay signed him late during his rookie year. At his Pro Day, he weighed in at 6045, 236 pounds, and ran a 4.58 40 yard dash as a receiver/tight end hybrid.

He’ll add competitive depth to the Steelers’ offseason roster and battle for the No. 3 spot behind Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth. Rookie Riley Nowakowski has also worked as a tight end and fullback. It’s a smart pickup for the summer, and Tonyan’s connection with Rodgers will only help, though not guarantee, his chances to stick into the fall.

Pittsburgh is holding four final voluntary OTA sessions next week before its summer break. The team will report to training camp on July 28 with the first practice the following day.