Bears sign former Packers TE Robert Tonyan

The Chicago Bears signed former Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan to a one-year deal on Thursday, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.

Bears are signing former Packers’ TE Robert Tonyan to a one-year deal, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2023

Tonyan emerged as one of the NFL’s top young tight ends in 2020 after catching 52 passes for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns. He played in only eight games in 2021 before suffering a torn ACL and returned last season to catch 53 passes for 470 yards and two scores.

Robert Tonyan profiles as a fantastic red-zone weapon for Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears’ passing game. The 6-foot-5, 237-pound pass-catcher has more juice after the catch than current Bears starter Cole Kmet, and he should help form a quality 1-2-punch at the position in 2023.

Tonyan, 28, will be fully recovered from his ACL injury next season and has a chance to return to his prolific touchdown-scoring pre-injury form.