Former Chicago Bears tight end Robert Tonyan, now with the Minnesota Vikings, recently voiced his dissatisfaction with the Bears’ coaching staff. Tonyan, who transitioned from the Bears to the Vikings during the offseason, highlighted his frustration over a significant reduction in his playing time during his last season in Chicago. He mentioned that he went from playing 60 snaps per game to just 10, a clear indication of his displeasure with the coaching decisions.
Full observations from #Vikings minicamp…
• How J.J. McCarthy looked
• What Sam Darnold showed
• A free agent mention
• Two names to watch
• An intriguing UDFA— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) June 7, 2024
Tonyan’s comments seem to target former Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, who had previously worked with Tonyan at the Green Bay Packers before both moved to Chicago. Getsy was dismissed by the Bears this offseason due to the team’s offensive struggles, which may have contributed to Tonyan’s grievances.
Despite Tonyan’s frustrations, his performance in 2023 was notable. He had 67 targets, 53 receptions, and 470 yards in his first year with the Bears. However, his role significantly diminished the following season, with just 17 targets, 11 receptions, and 120 yards. This decline in usage could suggest issues beyond coaching decisions, possibly indicating Tonyan’s performance in practices or other internal factors.
Now with the Vikings, Tonyan has the opportunity to demonstrate that the Bears made a mistake by reducing his role and eventually letting him go. He will have at least two opportunities to face his former team in the upcoming season, with games scheduled against the Bears on November 24 (Week 12) and December 16 (Week 15). These matchups will provide Tonyan a chance to prove his worth and validate his criticism of the Bears’ coaching staff.
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