Chiefs sign veteran TE in surprise move right before Christmas game

The Chiefs made a surprise signing Monday just ahead of a Christmas Day showdown with the Steelers, signing TE Robert Tonyan to the practice squad.

Given the injuries Kansas City has dealt with in recent weeks, it’s not entirely a shock to see the team make a move at the position. Nevertheless, Tonyan was not on anyone’s radar and represents an unexpected acquisition.

In his seventh season, Tonyan has a strong history as a pass-catching tight end with promising blocking chops as well. He is unlikely to contribute to the team in the playoffs, although it is a valuable dart for Brett Veach and Andy Reid.

During his career, Tonyan played for the Packers, Bears and Vikings before joining the Chiefs. All three of those teams are in the NFC North, so this represents the first time he’s left the division.

A reliable threat in the passing game, Tonyan has 148 catches for 1,549 yards and 17 TDs. His best year came in 2020 with Green Bay, where he secured 11 TDs with 586 yards as a marquee red-zone weapon. It’s unexpected that Tonyan can turn back the clock like that, but he’s still a quality signing this late in the season.

With Travis Kelce and Noah Gray, the Chiefs are set at the position for the next few years, to say nothing of injured rookie Jared Wiley. Still, Tonyan could have a role for the 2025 team given how many pending free agents there are on offense.

He is 30 years old and his best days are probably behind him. Regardless, it’s a quality signing from the NFL’s best front office. Should the Chiefs get the job done and win a third straight Super Bowl, Tonyan would even get a Super Bowl ring for his efforts.

Whether or not Kansas City uses Tonyan remains to be seen, though it’s a smart move regardless.

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