Packers Face Question Marks at Tight End Once Again
The Green Bay Packers face question marks at tight end once again, as this offense is in need of a true pass-catching threat with Robert Tonyan set to hit free agency.
By Paul_Bretl
The tight end position with the Green Bay Packers was one that they struggled to get consistent production from for a number of seasons.
Really, up until Robert Tonyan's 2020 season, where he caught 52 of his 59 receptions and had 11 touchdowns, it had been since Jermichael Finley was Green Bay's go-to option at tight end that they had that level of steady production. Sure, Jared Cook had a strong second half of the season in 2016 once he returned from injury, but he would head elsewhere in free agency, and Green Bay was back to searching for a reliable tight end.
Heading into the 2021 season, the tight end position here in Green Bay was in very good shape. Tonyan was coming off the big season mentioned above, Marcedes Lewis re-signed once again, and Josiah Deguara was coming back from injury. On top of that, we also saw the emergence of Dominique Dafney at the end of 2020. Unfortunately, Tonyan would suffer a season-ending injury against Arizona, and the team also moved on from Jace Sternberger early on. Although Deguara did improve as the year went along, drops and miscues were still an issue even in the latter portion of the season.
So now here we are, with another offseason in front of us, and the tight end position is another question mark once again.
Lewis is under contract for the 2022 season, but at 38-years-old, he could choose to retire at any time. On top of that, Tonyan is also an unrestricted free agent--which puts his future with the team in jeopardy, especially given Green Bay's salary cap situation.
Deguara and Tyler Davis are still under contract for 2022, while Dafney is an exclusive rights free agent, so I would anticipate him returning. But what this group is missing is a true-pass catching option, and when Tonyan's season ended in 2021, this Packers offense greatly missed his presence.
As a seam-stretcher, over the middle, and in the red zone, this offense wasn't quite the same without the threat of Tonyan in the passing game. Not to mention the attention that he draws from opposing defenses, which helped create for his teammates, and the trust that he has with Aaron Rodgers--something that we all know is incredibly important.
It's not a coincidence that a few of Green Bay's better offensive performances of the season -- including games against the Vikings, Rams, and Bears -- came when we saw the tight end group making plays in the passing game. This is far from the sole reason behind the offense's success in those games, but it was certainly a big factor.
Regardless of who it is, for this offense to be at their best in 2022, they need that element back. Now, having said that, this isn't me writing off Deguara; he certainly still can become a reliable pass-catching option in this offense, but his game and Tonyan's are not the same at all, and they are asked to do different things. Also, I wouldn't be surprised whatsoever if Tonyan does get re-signed.
In terms of exploring free agency, given the Packers' salary cap situation, they don't exactly have tons of money to spend. And when it comes to the draft, the transition from college to the NFL is one of the more difficult moves to make, and rarely do we see instant production in the passing game from rookie tight ends. That, of course, doesn't mean Green Bay shouldn't address the position if the right player is available, but expectations for the 2022 season should be tempered.
Blocking at the tight end position is another very important element to the position, especially within Matt LaFleur's offense, and with Deguara, Davis, and likely Dafney all returning, plus potentially Big Dog, the Packers are set up well in that regard. However, what they don't have under contract at the moment, is a true pass-catching tight end--and filling that role should be high up on the to-do list this offseason, given the importance of that role within the offense.
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__________________________
Born and raised in Green Bay, WI and I still call it home. After my family, watching the Packers, sharing my opinions on the team through my writing and interacting with other fans is my greatest passion. You can find me on Twitter at @Paul_Bretl.
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Comments (41)
PeteK
February 07, 2022 at 11:24 am
Again this question will be answered by Rodgers. If he is traded the following options could be possible: Fant in a trade, Tonyan signing, or draft pick. If he stays all option are not possible in my opinion because of cap considerations.
HarryHodag
February 07, 2022 at 11:54 am
The media has been wringing its collective hands about Tonyan leaving. I think it's unlikely. He has some ability enhanced by the ability of Aaron Rodgers. He's coming off a serious injury and any team signing him would be leery of spending big bucks on a player who very likely will still not be 100 percent at training camp. I suspect he will take a one year cap friendly deal with the Packers.
There are more than a few good TE prospects in the draft.
Packers1985
February 07, 2022 at 12:01 pm
Agreed to your comment except for the part "there are more than a few good TE prospects in the draft". The problem is Gb's history of drafting a good TE .
ImaPayne
February 07, 2022 at 12:45 pm
I see Tonyan departing for MO MONEY
packerbackerjim
February 07, 2022 at 12:12 pm
Gute need only to look as far as Madison to find a pass catching TE, Ferguson.
ImaPayne
February 07, 2022 at 12:44 pm
NOTE TO GUTT: How about a novel idea and find a TE who can run and has speed. Our guys are slow of foot and oft covered. Matter of fact how about drafting only people with speed, except maybe our new punter.
WestCoastPackerBacker
February 07, 2022 at 03:45 pm
Hard to always draft fast guys when you keep winning 13 games a season. Doesn't leave you very high in the draft order. Speedy TEs don't last too long in the draft.
Coldworld
February 08, 2022 at 08:01 am
It is very hard to find a speedy TE who can actually play the position in a true sense. There are plenty of large receivers who can’t or won’t be physical. There are others who can’t catch. That’s why really good all round TEs are rare and usually take time to develop. It’s also partly why finding one is so valuable to tesms that have.
dobber
February 08, 2022 at 08:15 am
You hit the point on the "oversized WR" comment. I think the Packers will be in the market for a good dual-purpose TE who can play well in-line (so, beefier than Deguara and Dafney) and threaten a defense at least in the short and intermediate zones. You don't have to run 4.6 or better to be able to threaten down the seam.
Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce were 3rd rounders. George Kittle was a 5th. Teams can find that kind of blocker-receiver outside the first round, but they need to do their homework or you end up with Jace Sternberger.
Coldworld
February 08, 2022 at 11:20 am
Deguara and Daffney aren’t built like TEs. They are smaller, lower center of gravity types that were picked/picked up for a role LaFleur calls the FBack, others HBack, a lead blocker who can catch and run more than be an in line large target. Davis is the only true TE on the roster (Lewis aside, but he’s mainly a savvy old pro and blocker), and he is a work in progress.
Along with the disappearance of the illusion of complexity this year, I was surprised that LaFleur didn’t develop his HBack role very clearly. Perhaps that was in part because they had to play more traditional TE and injuries to both, but I’m hoping that there is more to unfold there. It’s sort of a cross between a fullback like William Henderson and a more sudden after the catch small TE with a more varied route tree as I see it.
With Tonyan probably not an option earlier in the year, we need to see a big jump from Davis, who shows some promise and add competition as a true TE. A true TE will help Daffney and Deguara and allow LaFleur to develop the role he envisaged for them hopefully.
croatpackfan
February 07, 2022 at 04:09 pm
"How about a novel idea and find a TE who can run and has speed."
Why in the world they will sign or draft someone with speed? If AR stays, "speeder" will be overthrown or underthrown and many of Packers fans will conclude that he is not capable of running right routes. Who would like to go to work with that negative voice, only to be insulted from fans defending decline superstar Diva?
Gee
February 09, 2022 at 06:57 pm
\We get it you don't like Rodgers, man what a couple years make.
13TimeChamps
February 07, 2022 at 01:00 pm
Just don't draft one in the 3rd round....PLEASE!!
Roadrunner23
February 07, 2022 at 01:02 pm
I think the Packers offer Tonyan a one or two year extension at a very reasonable price for the Packers. I also think Josiah Degura Will take a third year leap. Remember he too was coming off a torn ACL. If Rogers comes back Lewis will come back on a one year deal too. And of course they will draft a tight end, Ferguson would be a good get in the fourth round or so.
Coldworld
February 07, 2022 at 04:00 pm
I am not confident that Tonyan will pass a physical until sometime in season. We have no choice but to look for an alternative if so.
Gee
February 09, 2022 at 06:57 pm
Nailed it!!
crayzpackfan
February 07, 2022 at 03:05 pm
I’m a well rounded football “fan” but I will be the first to admit that draft knowledge, the cap, and anything that sinks deep into the intellectual, dark, abyss of football ins and outs squeezes right past my busy 52 year old life. I would at least like to think that I am philosophically grounded with enough football education to at least separate myself from the proverbial “know it all” drunk telling anyone who will listen what’s best for Green Bay.
Good Lord! I just crapped out a massive sized paragraph to preface a very short post! Maybe I am that drunk feller after all?
Anyway. Yes, our WR and TE room is a mess. My question to everyone here is simple. If we somehow keep Rodgers, how does this get fixed? FA’s seems out of the cap question. Who and when should we draft those spots? Question two, if Adam’s and Rodgers go, what do you smarter than myself folks think we should do to build these positions back up? Who’s out there we can draft in either scenario? Thanks.
You people have an absolutely wonderful week. GPG
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
February 07, 2022 at 10:36 pm
Its rather simple!
Rodgers stays the roster is a mess and the Packers are in rebuild mode, or at least a mini rebuild.
Rodgers go the Packers receive several players and draft choices giving Packers many options to strengthen all positions of need.
MarkinMadison
February 08, 2022 at 08:10 am
There are no good answers.
The Packers and MVS have mutual interest. OK, maybe he will take a deal with guaranteed money that kicks in in year two, but he will probably want a premium for that concession. And, to me, he is not an answer.
Lazard is restricted, so the Packers can bring him back on a reasonable deal. OK, but either he disappears for games at a time or Rodgers ignores him because Rodgers is a problem. Pick one. Either way, he is not an answer if Rodgers is retained.
Amari Rodgers may develop, or he may not. He is already bought.
If Rodgers stays will Davante stay? People seem to assume it is a package deal. Rodgers will have to be generous to make that package happen. Otherwise, he is off to get his, and really, I get it. It makes me sad, but I get it.
There will be some guys who could be drafted in round 1 or round 2. Typically, Rodgers is not keen on rookies.
There are a ton of guys out there in free agency this year. MVS clocks in as the #13 per PFF, which either tells you something about MVS or something about the depth out there this year - take your pick. The Packers could go bargain hunting. A guy like DJ Chark could be a diamond in the rough. He has the h/s combo the Packers love, but he struggled being expected to be THE guy in a crappy franchise. Jamison Crowder was a nice slot receiver for a lousy team. Etc.
Handsback
February 07, 2022 at 03:40 pm
How many players get a big contract from a new team after a big injury? I'll answer that question...not many. I think Roadrunner23 has the right idea. IF and that's a big IF Tonyan proves himself next season, then the Packers can try to get him signed with a better CAP number.
croatpackfan
February 07, 2022 at 04:18 pm
If Packers resign Aaron Rodgers, there will be no room for many of players. And talking about drafting WRs and/or TE means you'll have a lot of guys AR do not trust and, consequently will not be used in game. Same with bringing veteran WR/TE, because they will not endure that behavior from AR.
Now, you can calculate what you want, place your theories, hopes, expecatations... but until we do not know AR destiny we will sit in dark and constructing unconstructive team...
croatpackfan
February 07, 2022 at 04:24 pm
deleted
croatpackfan
February 07, 2022 at 04:25 pm
Why there is no article about this news and very likely hire:
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2022/2/7/22921793/packers-will-hire-r...
https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2022/02/07/packers-expected-to-hire-ric...
frankthefork
February 07, 2022 at 04:35 pm
GB is fine at TE, unless they get a new QB who throws their way. Deguara, Davis, Daff, Mack and Big BTon will be back at 3M with that type of injury. Lazard could gain 15 lbs or draft another one for ST's. Next up WR's.
stockholder
February 07, 2022 at 05:00 pm
Ron Wolf traded for Keith Jackson. It costs them a Second round pick. But look what he brought to Green Bay.
Coldworld
February 07, 2022 at 05:04 pm
No cap to sign anybody like that really, unless on a first contract.
dobber
February 08, 2022 at 08:19 am
The Keith Jackson trade was a 'finishing piece' kind of acquisition. This team isn't likely to be in 'finishing piece' mode in 2022 or 2023. Draft the next Keith Jackson...don't chase one off another team's roster with another team's contract.
MarkinMadison
February 08, 2022 at 09:09 am
Very good in year two. Not so hot in year one.
packer132
February 07, 2022 at 05:00 pm
I see Tonyan gone, as he won't be ready by training camp and will miss the first part of the season. I think he will price himself out of GB, and Lewis retires or is cut. Spotrac shows a market value of $10 million for Tonyan, though he won't get that coming off a major injury. That leaves the 3 D's: Deguara, Dafney, and Davis and Alize Mack. Green Bay signed Mack today, who was drafted by the Saints in 2017. Packers could draft someone in the later rounds and possibly look at a cheaper FA. There are many free agent TE's, but most are out of the price range. Maybe Ricky Seals Jones (Wash) Blake Bell (KC) or Cox (IND).
dobber
February 08, 2022 at 08:23 am
I think Tonyan's situation will make it easy for the Packers to give him a low-guaranteed money and low-risk deal with a low cash value in 2022 and a low cap hit overall. That pushes the bulk of his hit out as bonuses and cash into 2023 and beyond, but doesn't put them on the hook with a big dead hit if he never recovers. They can use roster bonuses to give themselves the opportunity to--if he's right with his knee--convert into guaranteed money and pay as they go.
Coldworld
February 08, 2022 at 11:30 am
Tonyan isn’t likely to be healthy before the season and isn’t likely to be at his best until late season. It really was cruel timing. I am not sure he passes his physical until in season.
At that point another team with injuries may be willing to offer him more than we can (if we have Rodgers) or, if not, maybe he signs a probe it deal with us, as you suggest, at a much lower price than we might have expected before his injury. Then it’s getting back to being game ready. I hope I’m wrong, but the timings for that kind of injury aren’t favorable.
I think it’s a lottery whether we will get him back for those reasons and also because we probably have to try to find a replacement to start the season anyway.
dobber
February 09, 2022 at 05:06 am
A probe it deal sounds like something we all should avoid...
packergal
February 07, 2022 at 06:09 pm
How about signing one of below?
O.J. Howard TE 27.2 TB $2,773,655
Hayden Hurst TE 28.4 ATL $2,759,007
Evan Engram TE 27.4 NYG $2,679,576
Geoff Swaim TE 28.3 TEN $2,500,000
David Njoku TE 25.5 CLE $2,381,274
Tyler Kroft TE 29.2 NYJ $2,000,000
Mike Gesicki TE 26.3 MIA $1,652,981
packer132
February 07, 2022 at 09:53 pm
Most on this list are due for huge pay increases and salaries are from their rookie contracts which expired. Gesicki will go from $1.6 to $11 million. Njoku will be $6.7 m, Engram will be $6 million. I think Packers look to pickup one TE in the draft and again once teams cut after training camp. That gives them time to access how deep that position is.
PhantomII
February 07, 2022 at 08:08 pm
Need to draft a TE like Andrews from Ravens....Kicked butt all over our Secondary. Guy is a Stud. We have none like him.
Tonyan has great hands. How do you go from 11 TD's to a couple ML???? He was an afterthought last season before injury.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
February 07, 2022 at 10:41 pm
Need a QB who will spread the ball around. Rodgers is often uncomfortable throwing ball in middle of field. In fact isn't that how the 49s defense played the Packers with double teams on the sidelines leaving center of field more open?
BirdDogUni
February 07, 2022 at 09:06 pm
https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-te-alize-mack?fbclid=IwAR1vNfH...
Gutey just signed a TE today... Ask and you shall receive... ; )
Coldworld
February 08, 2022 at 08:08 am
Got the measurables, no idea if he can pull them together. The thing about TEs is that it’s one of the positions with the longest typical development period at the NFL level. For that reason, guys like this and Tyler Davis may have more potential than their route here suggests. I wouldn’t be surprised if we look at a few of these types in the coming months.
MarkinMadison
February 08, 2022 at 09:11 am
I love the wink emoji, because that sums it all up. 760-some yards in four years at Notre Dame? PS guy in the NFL for three years? Yeah, let's keep shopping.
Coldworld
February 08, 2022 at 11:39 am
It’s no less occluded than Tonyan’s path in fairness. TEs often bounce around until they develop. I will keep an open mind on a guy who wasn’t a focus of his college offense. That’s part of the problem, frequently TEs aren’t these days in many college systems. Davis was used as a blocker helping out his O line primarily and this guy was a sort of big slot sub package type from what I’m told. Can either develop enough to round out? Maybe. A lot of teams know TEs are players they have to work to develop and sift. That’s a game that involves some churn.
MarkinMadison
February 10, 2022 at 11:17 am
Tonyan's numbers in college were better, and he started out as a QB.