The Chiefs made a surprise addition on Monday, shortly before their Christmas Day showdown with the Steelers, adding TE Robert Tonyan to the practice squad.

Given the injuries Kansas City has dealt with in recent weeks, it’s not a huge surprise to see the team make a move at the position. Still, Tonyan wasn’t on anyone’s radar and represents an unexpected acquisition.

In his seventh season, Tonyan has a long track record as a pass-catching tight end with promising block chops. He’s unlikely to contribute to the team in the playoffs, although it’s a worthwhile dart throw for Brett Veach and Andy Reid.

During his career, Tonyan played for the Packers, Bears and Vikings before joining the Chiefs. All three of those squads are in the NFC North, so this is the first time he’s left the division.

A reliable threat in the passing game, Tonyan has 148 catches for 1,549 yards and 17 touchdowns. His best year was 2020 with Green Bay, where he scored 11 touchdowns with 586 yards as a red zone weapon. It’s unexpected that Tonyan can turn back time in this way, but he’s still a quality addition this late in the season.

With Travis Kelce and Noah Gray, the Chiefs are ready for the next few years, not to mention injured rookie Jared Wiley. Still, Tonyan could play a role for the 2025 team considering how many pending free agents there are on offense.

He’s 30 years old and his best days are probably behind him. Regardless, this is a top-notch signing from the best front office in the NFL. If the Chiefs get the job done and win their third straight Super Bowl, Tonyan would even receive a Super Bowl ring for his efforts.

Whether or not Kansas City uses Tonyan remains to be seen, although it’s still a smart move.

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