After finishing with the NFL’s worst record this past season, the Chicago Bears are starting to look like they will have a competitive team next season.
They traded the top pick in April’s draft to the Carolina Panthers and received four other picks, including the No. 9 selection this year, as well as productive wide receiver D.J. Moore.
Up-and-coming former Panthers running back D’Onta Foreman will also be joining the Bears, and so will tight end Robert Tonyan, who spent his first five pro seasons with their NFC North rival Green Bay Packers.
Bears are signing former Packers’ TE Robert Tonyan to a one-year deal, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2023
After putting up pedestrian numbers in his first two pro seasons, Tonyan broke out in 2020 with 56 yards and 11 touchdowns and helped the Packers reach the NFC Championship Game after posting a 13-3 regular season record.
His numbers have fallen over the last two years, partly due to a torn ACL he suffered in 2021, but he still mustered 470 yards in 2022.
Chicago may not make the playoffs next season, as the Detroit Lions are on the rise, but their future is starting to look a lot brighter.
Tonyan, along with Moore and Foreman, could help quarterback Justin Fields start to tap into the potential he displayed during his two seasons at the Ohio State University.
In addition, the ninth pick in next month’s draft could yield another productive skill player on offense should the Bears choose to go in that direction.
They also could use that selection on an offensive lineman after allowing the fourth-most sacks in the entire league this past season.
