The Green Bay Packers have all but ensured tight end Robert Tonyan will not be going anywhere in free agency.
Tonyan is a restricted free agent this offseason, but the Packers submitted a second-round tender to Tonyan, per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
In other words, Green Bay would receive a second-round pick as compensation should it choose not to match an offer in free agency. But it seems the plan could be a long-term deal, per Silverstein.
The #Packers have submitted a $3.384 million restricted free agent tender to TE Robert Tonyan, which sets the compensation at a 2nd-round pick if the team were not to match an offer, a source said. It pretty much guarantees Tonyan will be back and could lead to a long-term deal.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) March 16, 2021
Robert Tonyan is almost assuredly remaining in Green Bay, considering the massive premium placed on draft picks.
The Packers had good reason to use the tender on their star tight end. Tonyan was a monster in 2020, averaging 11.3 yards per reception and hauling in a whopping 11 touchdown catches.
Aaron Rodgers had just six incompletions when targeting Tonyan, including the playoffs. The 26-year-old finished with 12 touchdown catches altogether after finding the end zone against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game.
Robert Tonyan in 2020
🧀 66 targets
🧀 12 TDs
🧀 6 incompletions pic.twitter.com/v4kO1NFiEW— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) March 16, 2021
Green Bay has worked hard to retain Rodgers' weapons, including Robert Tonyan.
The Packers agreed to terms on a new deal with star running back Aaron Jones prior to the start of the free-agent negotiating period, which was significant given the Packers' salary cap issues. Now, general manager Brian Gutekunst is essentially ensuring one of Rodgers' favorite targets will be with the team in 2021.
Green Bay still has some work to do. The Packers could stand to improve their pass rush or make some kind of upgrade in the front seven.
However, the priority has clearly been retaining internal playmakers. Gutekunst might now look to hash out a longer deal with Robert Tonyan.
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