Packers Decide To Retain Tonyan

For better or worse, Robert Tonyan will return in 2023. Cross your fingers.

 

Field Yates has provided the following details for Robert Tonyan's contract:

YR Base SB GA WO Cap Dead Save Cash
'22 1.035M .5M 713K 200K 2.448M     3.75M
'23 Void ,5M       .5M   - - - -

 Tonyan's deal is for 1 year, $3.75M with a $1M signing bonus.  The deal has one void year, so there will be $500K in dead money in 2023.  The deal includes a $1.515M game active bonus.  Tonyan played 8 games, so $712,941 is likely to be earned.  Indeed, due to his injury, that number also is roughly the amount one might expect him to actually earn.  I inserted $3.75M for cash, but if he plays 9 games (a pretty good result if it happens), Tonyan would earn $2.948M under this deal. 

There is clearly some risk attached to this deal.  No one really knows whether Tonyan will play 1 game or 17 games plus some playoff games for the Packers.  Not every player comes back at full strength immediately.  It certainly could be a win-win if Tonyan returns and plays the way he did in 2020, and not so much if his injury lingers or if his play does not improve over his 2021 production.  Now that Marquez Valdes-Scantling has signed with the Chiefs and for more money than the Packers probably wanted to pay, proven receiving options like Tonyan seem more important.  

The Packers have enough cap space to meet their future obligations (signing draft picks and the PS, 52nd/53rd contracts and a $5M piggy bank) after signing Tonyan, but just barely.  That does not include the deal for Jarran Reed.  They still can generate more cap space from Jaire Alexander, Lowry, Lazard and possibly Lewis (we do not know whether the Packers paid Lewis his $2M roster bonus last Saturday or if they used the void years). 

 

 

 

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5 points
 

Comments (35)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 24, 2022 at 08:50 pm

Well, I can't say I have a strong opinion on this. I looked at the list of available FA tight ends. I didn't see anyone who would play for $2.5M or so that I have any particular interest in. The Packers know whether Tonyan had a "clean" tear or something more nasty, and they know what there is to know about his recovery.

I guess I am just hoping for the best. Sure would like to see better blocking out of him.

6 points
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pantz_bURp's picture

March 24, 2022 at 09:06 pm

It seems like a calculated risk worth taking. Without any guarantee about the timeline to full recovery, seems like a fair deal for the Pack and Big Bob. Similar to dropping off your date at the door for the first time and leaning in for a smooch (a real saliva fest) hoping for the best. Sometimes, you just gotta leannn intooo ittt...!

5 points
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greengold's picture

March 24, 2022 at 09:20 pm

I’m really glad they did re-sign Tonyan. He’s a quality player who can outright score. Start of the season will be 10 months post ACL surgery. 12 months seems more reasonable, but we’ve seen some players who heal more quickly than others. Agree with you, TGR, his return to 2020 form would be ideal.

As far as his blocking, Bobby seems like a motivated player to be his very best, to work at all aspects of his game to improve. Certainly has a solid mentor in Big Dog.

TE is not a deep position in top talents this draft. Neither is IDL, again, but we know gems can be had, like Slaton last year. Makes both the Robert Tonyan & Jarran Reed signings look pretty damn smart. We’ll see. Nice work, TGR! Again.

2 points
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wildbill's picture

March 24, 2022 at 09:45 pm

Good signing for both the Pack and Tonyan. Hope his recovery goes better than Bahk’s

3 points
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PatrickGB's picture

March 24, 2022 at 09:55 pm

Now all the team needs is a #1 or #2 WR.

-1 points
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BirdDogUni's picture

March 24, 2022 at 10:22 pm

#1 & #2 WRs... Currently I don't see a #2 on the roster. I think Lazard is a very good #3 WR though. Cobb #4 and Rodgers #5.

I'm excited to see what Gutey decides to do in regards to #1 and #2 WRs.

6 points
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PatrickGB's picture

March 24, 2022 at 10:59 pm

Indeed.

0 points
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stockholder's picture

March 24, 2022 at 11:51 pm

Mel kiper has Burks going to the Packers. "A serious Red Zone threat." - No ones better than Kiper!

-3 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

March 25, 2022 at 09:28 am

They may still have to move up to bag him if these QBs keep dropping.

0 points
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H.D.'s picture

March 24, 2022 at 11:56 pm

Sorry to say,but release cobb.Make little used Rodgers your
slot guy.Draft two w.r in first rd. D.T and D.E.in the 2nd round
L.B in 3rd O.L 4th O.L. 5th O.L 6.th safety.7th w.r.

-3 points
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stockholder's picture

March 25, 2022 at 12:08 am

McShay has T. Jones DT going @ 27 to Miami.

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

March 24, 2022 at 11:40 pm

Tonyan is a reasonable contract if he’s healthy early, a gamble, but as you say TGR, not a lot out there better.

2 points
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stockholder's picture

March 24, 2022 at 11:45 pm

I doubt Tonyan is here next year. Show me the money is changing the face of the NFL. If Gutey is smart he'll plan ahead and take McBride.

-1 points
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Oppy's picture

March 25, 2022 at 09:01 am

Show me the money is new?

Maybe you missed Reggie White signing with the Green Bay packers.

0 points
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Harold Drake's picture

March 25, 2022 at 01:01 am

I fail to understand your ongoing cap panic. The cap is a fungible quantity which can be manipulated to accommodate the Packers's needs. Do you really believe that the Packers will NOT sign a veteran WR due to cap panic if they believe the quality is there? The team was ready to re-sign Davante Adams at $28 million per year or thereabouts so obviously there was little concern about NOT being able to make the cap fit DA. I am quite certain that the team can trade for and sign a DK Metcalf, bring back MVS, or sign Julio Jones or even two out of three. There is too much cap fearmongering going on. If the player presents himself, the cap will be adjusted accordingly.

2 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

March 25, 2022 at 03:20 am

Big difference between panic and simply explaining the numbers.

2 points
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Minniman's picture

March 25, 2022 at 03:24 am

Well they certainly won’t be bringing MVS back for 3 years

1 points
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croatpackfan's picture

March 25, 2022 at 04:02 am

Well, maybe Packers make a trade with KC sending them one of 2nd round picks. Who knows....

I'm joking...

-1 points
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Oppy's picture

March 25, 2022 at 05:22 am

Harold,

With all due respect, the attitude towards the cap you, and many fans, are displaying is extremely myopic.

I hope you don't apply the same logic to your own personal finances, but really, the odds are you might, considering how many people live their lives based on how much credit they can attain as opposed to what they can afford.

TGR is looking at long term sustainability. You can shift the money around all you like to get these contracts under this year's cap. The bottom line is you're still just pushing payment of the bill down the road.

Going to be a really rough time when the bills come due, and the Packers may not have the money to keep young talented players because they have to pay for other players that might not even be on the team any longer.

1 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 25, 2022 at 07:05 am

I would not describe my attitude as a panic, though I would not disavow concern. Not sure about worry, but perhaps nagging worry fits the bill.'

GB is at $16.07M per OTC without Jarran Reed.
$5M [$4.8M (me) to $5.2M (Ken Ingalls) for draft picks;
$3.0 to $3.5M for the Practice Squad;
$1.5M for 52nd/53rd players;
$5M for churn: IR, PUP, acquisitions. $5M isn't a lot.

So, almost $15M. Leaves about $1M in useable salary cap space. Signing Reed probably puts GB in the negative. GB can generate more, but they are literally down to 5 players to whom they can look for more than $1M in cap space. Two of those five would have to give permission to GB to generate more cap space.

$5M to $7M (more?) from Jaire Alexander. Need permission.
$2.4M from Lazard. Need Permission.
$1.3M from Lewis. Not clear if this is no longer possible.
$3M to $4M from Lowry extension/release. Might need assent.
$2.4M from Crosby release.

So, GB could have afforded MVS and Patrick as well assuming they are willing and can get cooperation from the players. And I don't see any obvious reason why Jaire and Lazard wouldn't cooperate.

I think GB is still shopping. I just want to know if they are at K-Mart or a nicer establishment.

4 points
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pantz_bURp's picture

March 25, 2022 at 08:47 am

Hopefully they ain't shoppin at K-aMapart...no more injuried players please...

I use to not buy into this statement but now I understand. The most important ability is availability! We need #12 to get on his horse and ride up and down the roster (picture the scene in Brave heart) just before a playoff game. Without warpaint but a nicely placed cheese head.

"I would not describe my attitude as a panic, though I would not disavow concern. Not sure about worry, but perhaps nagging worry fits the bill."...nicely stated TGR. For me, I worry about the bill....coming due.... eventually. GPG!

1 points
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greengold's picture

March 25, 2022 at 11:21 am

This is high level material all around.

BRAVO, hoof!

1. The bill coming due.
2. Aaron Rodgers has watched the Super Bowl on TV like the rest of us for 11 straight years.
3. Will GB Brass have the stones to trade him now to right the ship?
4. Making the same mistakes over and over, expecting different results.

Yeah. Those are the things I’m worrying about, for the Packers. Life is bigger.

1 points
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Leatherhead's picture

March 25, 2022 at 09:37 am

Don't disparage K-Mart. It has plenty of good stuff....NECESSARY stuff...at a good price. Soap. Toilet paper. Light bulbs. Maybe not big ticket items like furniture, but you need soap, toilet paper, and light bulbs too.

I would hope Gutekunst is still shopping, looking for bargains on necessary stuff.

1 points
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Oppy's picture

March 25, 2022 at 11:01 am

“K-amapart”… “came apart”

1 points
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Oppy's picture

March 25, 2022 at 05:31 am

Add MVS to the list of WRs who didn't take less to stay in green bay to play with future HoF'er Aaron Rodgers.

Doesn't anyone find it odd that young players like ESB and MVS didn't find a way to make it work and stick around the most respected, best QB in the league? Kinda weird.

Maybe he's not really as influential and well-liked as he thinks. Maybe the bottom line is guys come to (and stay in) Green Bay for the paycheck, not for the privilege to play with #12. The kicker is, there's not going to be too much money to bring guys in for the next few years.

0 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 25, 2022 at 06:36 am

ESB signed a one-year deal for $965K, his minimum. So, money was not a motivating factor since no team can pay him less. So, here are the options I can think of:

1. GB didn't want ESB back;
2. ESB didn't want to play with AR;
3. ESB didn't like something else - FO/Coaches in GB;
4. Only Chicago wanted ESB;
5. Multiple teams wanted ESB, he chose Chicago for some reason. He grew up in Anaheim, CA, but played at nearby Notre Dame.

Maybe he just wanted to be near an international airport. Perhaps being young he preferred high-cost Chicago which does have a nightlife to low-cost GB.

4 points
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egbertsouse's picture

March 25, 2022 at 06:45 am

Option 6. Who cares, as long as he’s finally gone.

0 points
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Oppy's picture

March 25, 2022 at 07:49 am

All possible, but you know which one I'm leaning towards.

2 points
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Lphill's picture

March 25, 2022 at 08:47 am

I don’t think ESB or MVS were household names around the league.

-4 points
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Oppy's picture

March 25, 2022 at 09:00 am

That kinda strengthens my point now, doesn’t it?

0 points
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davekenya's picture

March 25, 2022 at 11:49 am

If I'm MVS...I would choose to play for more money with an elite QB (Mahomes)...knowing that QB will be around the entire length of my contract (and longer if I get an extension).

If every NFL player was 'loyal to their team', there'd be no FA movement (which would also mean none would come to GB). Works both directions.

2 points
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Leatherhead's picture

March 25, 2022 at 10:17 am

ESB, MVS, Adams.....all chose not to play in Green Bay this year. Attribute that to whatever you want, but that's what happened.

And at this point, no WR free agent has said "I'd love to play in Green Bay with Rodgers". So by my simple scoreboard, it's 0-3.

After a perusal of the available FA WRs, I'm inclined to just wait until the draft. They're all 28+, some in their 30s. Many of them caught 30-40-50 passes last year and I'm pretty sure we can get a guy in the draft who can do that.

I strongly believe we'll get a TE in this draft. Lewis, Deguara, Rookie.....eventually Tonyan ....That's going to be our TE unit this year.

Our WR unit is going to be Rookie, Rookie, Lazard, Cobb, Amari. Replace Rookie, Rookie with some names like Burks or William or Pierce or Watson and you'll see that this isn't an empty WR room.

1 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 25, 2022 at 10:51 am

DeVonta Parker might make sense. He is 29, though he fits your description of 40 Recs, 500 yards (793 in 2020 and 1202 in 2019, though). Contract is $6.25M cash in 2022 and $6.3M in 2023. Here is the thing: Tua is bad. Parker is at 52 and 57 yards per game the last two years, down from 75 yards/game with Fitzpatrick at QB (and Fitzpatrick is and was no Mahomes). Missed 9 games over the last two years, as well.

Still, he is a proven high-end #2 WR. Would not say he is a low end #1. As insurance, he makes sense. I would trade a 4th for him if he would restructure his deal while not earning any less money. Miami has Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle as WRs and Gesicki at TE.

GB probably waits until after the draft to see how that goes.

1 points
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PatrickGB's picture

March 25, 2022 at 11:32 am

I have been promoting him as a possible trade acquisition. He is, as you say, a probable #2 WR but he is better that who we have now and an affordable Vet. He could help bridge the gap if we bring in WR draft picks. His history shows that he does well when he has a decent QB.

0 points
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Leatherhead's picture

March 25, 2022 at 11:37 am

I looked at Parker and Fuller and Sammy Watkins.......I wouldn't expect any of them to give us more than half of what Adams did, even if they stayed healthy all year, which they probably don't .

You know that I have argued against the need for a superduper WR , mostly because I think WRs are largely fungible assets which are generally overvalued. The Packer Brass have had good success with guys taken on Day 2 and 3 of the draft, going back to Antonio Freeman and Donald Driver.

I'm not ADVOCATING this, but I'm throwing it out for consideration:

We could use our Day 2 picks at 52, 59, and 92 to get TWO good WRs AND a TE.

This is without respect to what we did on the first day of the draft. We could get, at 52, a pretty good WR, like Watson or Pierce, and then at #59 come back and double and maybe get them both. Or Justyn Ross, or Wondale Robinson, or......

Anyway, the point is, if the two rookies can combine to give us a healthy starting WR, and Lazard/Cobb/Amari play in the 2-3-4 spots, that's our team on the field this season, assuming no injuries (for which guys like Malik Taylor, or some new UDFAs, can fill the void).

Then, for the next four years, you've got two blooming superdupers at WR on rookie contracts. That's a good thing, regardless of who the QB is.

Then, at #92, take the TE. That's three additions to our skill position group on the gameday 21. I'd say we'd be set. ,

0 points
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