One Man’s Career with Vikings May Be Over before It Started
The Minnesota Vikings have six days to shave their roster from 91 players to 53.
One Man’s Career with Vikings May Be Over before It Started
And a few months ago, because T.J. Hockenson was recovering from a torn ACL, many believed newcomer free agent Robert Tonyan could take Hockenson’s spot, at least out of the gate.
But that theory might’ve been premature. Minnesota released its first unofficial depth chart earlier this month — and Tonyan was buried around TE5.
Fast forward to the final week of the preseason, and some Vikings-themed voices don’t believe Tonyan will make the cut at all next week. For example, KSTP’s Darren Wolfson said on SKOR North Tuesday, “Tonyan, he got a good chance here, but this to me, signifies that his body might just be done.”
For context, this is the team’s current TE pecking order:
- TE1: T.J. Hockenson (PUP)
- TE2: Josh Oliver
- TE3: Johnny Mundt
- TE4: Nick Muse
- TE5: Robert Tonyan
- TE6: N’Keal Harry
- TE7: Trey Knox
- TE8: Sammis Reyes
Wolfson added, “It’s a phenomenally tough sport, he’s a big guy, he’s obviously taken a pounding, I wonder if this is the end of the road here. I don’t see a path here.”
According to that first depth chart by Minnesota’s coaching staff, Oliver and Mundt would own most of the passing target share, and probably Mundt because Oliver is a run-blocking specialist. Tonyan, on the other hand, is apparently fighting for a 53-man roster spot.
Tonyan was injured with back spasms a few weeks ago, but that doesn’t affect a player’s position on the depth chart. Unless some prominent voices have it wrong, his role on the team was overstated earlier this summer.
In June, The Athletic’s Alec Lewis tweeted, “Robert Tonyan has looked great in minicamp. No hyperbole. Catching everything, snagged multiple passes in red-zone period today, outstretched arms, toe-tapping in corner of the end zone. Just impressive.”
It’s worth noting that Lewis’ observation wasn’t standalone; Tonyan truly looked great at minicamp. In that vein, it was rather odd to see him buried on the first depth chart.
The 30-year-old Tonyan encountered a forgettable season with the Chicago Bears in 2023, receiving just 17 targets in 17 games while banking 11 receptions for 112 yards. Before 2023, Tonyan spent five seasons in Green Bay, with 1,437 yards on 148 catches for 17 touchdowns in 68 games as a Packer. At times, he was one of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite targets.
He was also the most recent in a lengthy list of Packers defectors to join the Vikings in the last few years, including Bashaud Breeland, Chandon Sullivan, Za’Darius Smith, Dean Lowry, and Aaron Jones.
Should Tonyan not make the regular season roster, the Vikings would likely turn to a combo platter of Oliver, Mundt, Harry, and Muse to fill in for Hockenson. As for Hockenson’s return, most expect that to occur seven or so games into the season. Stay tuned.
The Vikings’ final preseason contest kicks off Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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