Without Robert Tonyan, Packers might need to let the Big Dog eat
With Robert Tonyan lost for the season to a torn ACL, the Green Bay Packers will likely rely on a committee approach to replace their primary tight end. There are four remaining tight ends of the active roster, and if the team does not add anyone before Tuesday’s trade deadline, head coach Matt LaFleur said they need everyone to pitch in. That could mean more snaps and more targets in the passing game for veteran Marcedes Lewis.
“Luckily, we have some good depth there,” LaFleur said Friday.
It won’t be easy to replace Tonyan, who had a significant role in Green Bay’s offense. Through the first eight games of the 2021 season, Tonyan played 60 percent of the total snaps. Last season, he was one of the team’s biggest surprises as he went on to have a breakout season with career-highs in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Tonyan’s 11 receiving touchdowns tied the franchise record and Kansas City Chiefs Travis Kelce for the most among tight ends last season.
Tonyan was off to a slow start in 2021 but started to come on over the last two weeks. Against the Washington Football team in Week 7, Tonyan caught four passes for a season-high 63 receiving yards. He also had three receptions for 49 yards against the Arizona Cardinals before getting hurt.
Tonyan was playing on a one-year deal after signing a second-round tender during the offseason.
LaFleur said the team will have to adjust their game plan to account for Tonyan’s absence. However, the good news is they have Lewis, one of the most reliable tight ends in league history who is having somewhat of a resurgence at 37 years of age.
Lewis, or “Big Dog” as his teammates call him, is having his best season since joining the Packers in 2018. He has already totaled more receiving yards this year than he accumulated in 16 games in 2020. Lewis caught 15 passes for 156 yards in 2019 but could also bypass those numbers in his 16th season.
Lewis is also playing the highest volume of snaps during his Green Bay tenure at 46 percent. According to Pro Football Focus, 135 of Lewis’ 232 snaps have come as a run blocker. One of the best run-blocking tight ends in NFL history, that is still his calling call.
He will continue to get plenty of snaps in the run game, but opportunities in the passing game should increase. Between Dominque Dafney and Josiah Deguara, Lewis is the most accomplished pass catcher of the Packers’ remaining tight ends in 2021.
This season, Lewis has shown he still has some juice left as a receiver. Per PFF, Lewis already has 75 yards after the catch and has forced four missed tackles by opposing defenses. Last season, he had 57 in YAC with two forced missed tackles. Against Arizona, he nearly made one of the best grabs of his career when he snagged a one-handed touchdown that overturned when replayed showed he only got one foot inbounds.
Lewis’ work as a receiver has been nothing short of impressive this year. Right now, he has the highest catch percentage (81.8) of his career at 81.8. That number is likely to go down if he does see an increased workload. However, if anyone is excited about more opportunities for Lewis, it’s Aaron Rodgers. Lewis happens to be one of Rodgers’ favorite teammates and a guy he has no problem throwing to under the right circumstances.
Moving forward, the Packers will miss having Tonyan out there to stretch the field, but Lewis is a guy who has been through it all and continues to show he has a lot to offer.
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