Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) waves before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The Kansas City Chiefs’ first preseason game is in the books, giving fans a much-needed page turn to the 2025 season. Limited new additions were in action on Saturday, giving Kansas City fans their first chance to judge the offseason.
One notable standout was tight end Robert Tonyan, who was already having a great camp. Tonyan grabbed three catches for 49 yards to lead all pass catchers. Add in solid blocking, and the Chiefs appear stacked at the position.
I don’t need to see another snap from Robert Tonyan.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) August 10, 2025
Robert Tonyan Has Already Locked up a Chiefs Roster Spot
Noah Gray and Travis Kelce are primary options with the third role in question. While this might be an afterthought for some teams, the Chiefs need to pay it a bit more attention. Kelce is going to need consistent breaks in the regular season, saving his best for when the games truly begin to count.
With this in mind, the emergence of Tonyan has been an exciting piece of camp and the preseason. The veteran has playoff experience and has previously played with a generational quarterback, spending time with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.
The pass-catcher’s best season came in 2020. This was with Rodgers’ Packers, where the tight end would finish with 586 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. Green Bay thrived using the tight end as the forgotten man. That is exactly the role the Chiefs are going to ask the veteran to fill.
Add in the fact that the Chiefs have the superior coach and a better quarterback in Mahomes there is reason to wonder if similar numbers might be in store. The opportunities will be there with Rashee Rice expecting a suspension and Kelce continuing to age. Having the secondary option of such an experienced pass-catcher is the type of savvy move Kansas City fans have been spoiled to expect.
For Tonyan, it is a huge compliment that the tight end has been such a consistent story despite the Chiefs having so many exciting camp stories. Tonyan’s roster spot should already be locked in, barring any struggles in the preseason’s final two weeks.
