Packers: Robert Tonyan left off ESPN top tight end rankings

As if Green Bay Packers starting tight end Robert Tonyan did not have enough motivation entering 2022 after coming off an injury-shortened 2021, think again.

An ESPN survey voted on by 50 NFL coaches, players, executives, and scouts determined that Tonyan was not good enough to be one of the top 10 tight ends in the league.

Tonyan will have added motivation this season. Again, he is coming off of a torn ACL. He is also entering a contract year. This new development of him not being thought of as one of the best tight ends in the game is going to light an even bigger fire under him.

In his last full season in 2020, Tonyan totaled 52 receptions for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns (led all tight ends).

Tonyan is arguably the franchise’s best pass-catching tight end since Jermichael Finley, who retired almost a decade ago.

No. 85 has a career mark of 11.3 yards per reception, which means he is very capable of making big plays for Matt LaFleur’s offense. He also is the definition of sure-handed. The former Indiana State Sycamore has just one drop in four career seasons.

When Aaron Rodgers and Tonyan connect, good things happen.

Tonyan is due for a massive season. Everything is aligning for him. He is returning from an injury. He wants to have a great season before he looks for a new contract. Now, he has the disrespect from the rest of the league to fire him up.

Throw in the fact that the Packers offense will be without All-Pro Davante Adams and big-play threat Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Tonyan will be relied on an awful lot, especially while Aaron Rodgers gets up to speed with some of his new receivers.

Tonyan is due for a huge season in 2022. He and the Green Bay Packers are going to both benefit from it.