Aaron Rodgers Gets Familiar Target as Steelers Sign Robert Tonyan

The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ pass-catching group just got a little deeper.

Entering June, Pittsburgh’s receiving corps was headlined by Michael Pittman Jr., DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, and rookie Germie Bernard, while Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington remained the top two tight ends on the roster.

On Thursday, however, the Steelers added another experienced option to the mix, and one who has ties not only to Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers but also to their new head coach, Mike McCarthy.

ESPN’s Brooke Pryor reported that Pittsburgh has officially agreed to a one-year contract with veteran tight end Robert Tonyan after a successful minicamp tryout.

Tonyan caught just one pass during his 17-game stint with the Kansas City Chiefs last season and has bounced between four teams over the last three years. But prior to that, he enjoyed career years catching passes from Rodgers in Green Bay.

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Tonyan originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Indiana State in 2017. But after a brief stint with the Detroit Lions, he clearly caught McCarthy’s eye, landing on the Green Bay Packers' practice squad for the final four games of the 2017 season.

After a couple of years developing in Green Bay, Tonyan emerged as one of Rodgers' most trusted red-zone weapons during the 2020 season.

That year, he caught 52 passes on 59 targets for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns, tying Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce for the league lead among tight ends.

A torn ACL in 2021 slowed his momentum, but Tonyan returned in 2022, Rodgers' final season in Green Bay, to post 470 yards and two touchdowns on 53 receptions and a career-high 67 targets.

While he never fully recaptured that breakout production, his chemistry with Rodgers became a major part of the Packers' offense. Tonyan then carved out depth roles in Chicago, Minnesota, and Kansas City before landing in Pittsburgh.

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In Pittsburgh, Tonyan probably won’t challenge Freiermuth for starting snaps. He’ll likely slot in behind Freiermuth and Washington while providing valuable insurance if injuries strike.

Still, Tonyan offers McCarthy another veteran who already understands many of the offensive concepts being installed, while Rodgers gets another familiar target as the Steelers push for a deep playoff run.

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This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 8:50 AM.