The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially finalized their 53-man roster for the upcoming NFL season. To no one’s shock, plenty of big-name veterans and players with a history of production in the league made the cut. While it isn’t going to be a surprise that the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Cam Heyward, and T.J. Watt made the roster, some fans may be shocked to learn that one of Rodgers’ old targets made the roster after getting signed in June.
Heading into his 10th NFL season, Robert Tonyan is now a Steeler. Better yet, he has made the active roster as the team’s third tight end behind Pat Freirmuth and Darnell Washington.
Pittsburgh Steelers Round Out the Tight End Room
Here is what Steelers insider Mark Kaboly had to say just after the news broke that Tonyan made the 53-man roster in Pittsburgh:
“The first week of training camp was all the Steelers needed to see to realize that (Tonyan) can still play and would be a good fit for this offense.”
Few players have accomplished what Tonyan has been able to do in the NFL. Go from being an undrafted player to playing a decade in the league. Now, he has the chance to make an impact on an offense led by his old quarterback and former head coach, Mike McCarthy, who was at the helm in Green Bay when Tonyan caught his first-ever NFL touchdown. Tonyan was the most productive as a pass-catcher back in 2020, which was Rodgers’ third MVP campaign. In that season, the former Indiana State star reeled in 11 touchdown catches (most among tight ends).
While he did set a career-high in receptions in 2022 with 53 while playing in Titletown, that was the last season in which he was much of a threat down the field. The good news for Steelers fans is that McCarthy and Rodgers won’t need him to be that as the No. 3 tight end. Plus, after bouncing around between the Packers, the Chicago Bears, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Kansas City Chiefs in recent years, he will look to play with more of an edge in his role this season. If he does that, Pittsburgh could have one of the better tight end rooms in football.
Aaron Rodgers Finds Success with Former Teammates
Rodgers has had the opportunity to reunite with plenty of former Packers teammates over the years. He did it multiple times over with former Pro Bowl wide receiver Randall Cobb. When Cobb returned to the Packers in 2021 after two seasons away, he ended up being second on the team in receiving average with 13.4 yards per catch (min. 25 receptions). Green Bay would go 13-4 that season, and Rodgers would win his fourth MVP.
Another star pass-catcher, Davante Adams, and Rodgers linked up with the Jets in 2024 after their time in Green Bay together. While the Jets did not necessarily become contenders, Adams reeled in 67 passes for 854 yards and seven touchdowns in just 11 games. One of the great QB-WR combos in history was once again on full display.
This past season, former Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling joined Pittsburgh near the end of their division-winning season and even reeled in a touchdown from his old quarterback. Now, Tonyan will take the field with the legendary signal-caller once more in the hopes of making a similar impact.
Notable Former Teammate of Aaron Rodgers Makes Steelers Roster