Packers TE Robert Tonyan deserves top-level recognition

It’s about time Packers TE Robert Tonyan was given more recognition.

Amidst the success of the Green Bay Packers‘ offense, there seems to be one player whose performance on the field has been often overlooked.

That being third-year tight end Robert Tonyan.

Let’s take a look at some specifics behind why he deserves more recognition amongst the other top tight ends in the NFL.

Tonyan’s consistency

Since Week 11, Tonyan has had four straight games with a touchdown, which is the most among tight ends this season. Tonyan is also tied for the league lead in touchdowns amongst tight ends with nine (Travis Kelce), and is sixth in receptions (46), and yards (533).

His play on the field speaks to why he deserves more attention amongst the best tight ends in the NFL. He is also just three touchdowns away from breaking the franchise record for touchdowns in a season by a tight end in Packers’ history (Paul Coffman, 11).

Tonyan’s trust with his quarterback

The trust Tonyan has built this season with Aaron Rodgers cannot be overlooked. They trust each other on the field, and it’s shown. Since Week 11, Tonyan has caught four total touchdowns from Rodgers. Also, Tonyan’s nine touchdown catches are the most by a tight end in Rodgers’ tenure as a Packer.

Rodgers knows the trust he’s built with Tonyan and it’s shown this season. He can rely on him in the red zone and knows exactly where he’s going to be at all times which is exactly what you want between a quarterback and pass catcher duo.

He also adds a great element of athleticism to an already great tight end group. Marcedes Lewis being a great blocker but also a good pass-catcher himself, while the same can also be said for Tonyan, who has shown he can be a great blocker as well as pass catcher.

Tonyan’s familiarity with the offense

The biggest reason why he has flourished this year as Green Bay’s #1 tight end has been his familiarity with the Packers’ offense in year two. The simplicity of the concepts combined with his ability to soak in information and process it quickly on the field has been the biggest reason behind why he has become such a vital part of the offense this season.

Both Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers trust his ability as the #1 tight end, it’s time the rest of the NFL understands that he deserves to be recognized as one of the top tight ends in the league. His stats and performance on the field have backed that claim up tenfold this season.