If Pat Freiermuth is saving young Pittsburgh Steelers’ fans from fights, Robert Tonyan is saving the team’s young quarterbacks from the rush. Tonyan has quickly emerged as a security blanket for Will Howard and Drew Allar. Most of Tonyan’s catches won’t make the highlight reel but he knows how to get open and make himself available as a safety valve.
One perfect example from Monday’s padded practice. Drew Allar in at quarterback for an 11-on-11 team drill. Play-action with Allar booting right. The first read is supposed to be the flat, but it’s covered. As is the secondary crossing routes moving left to right. Tonyan, releasing out, sits down against the flow of the defense and makes himself open. Allar smartly sees him and fires, a bit cross body but the pass isn’t in danger. A short completion, sure, but better than an incompletion or something worse.
A similar scene played itself out throughout the day. Per my charting, Tonyan caught five passes on the day. Two from Will Howard, that one from Allar, and a whopping three from Mason Rudolph.
Tonyan’s had the occassional downfield play, too. To end the first day of practice, Allar hit Tonyan down the seam. The next day, Howard followed suit.
“It’s cool to spin back and be a veteran leader for this group of guys,” Tonyan said earlier this camp in an interview with Mike Prisuta. “Navigate and help the young guys navigate and get better every day. Along the way, I’m getting better, too. I’m not going to stop learning.”
There’s a young tight end room to help. Rookies like Riley Nowakowski, who is playing fullback and tight end, and Lake McRee. A second-year player in JJ Galbreath, who has athletic traits similar to Tonyan but needs time to develop. Even Darnell Washington is only 24 years old; he doesn’t turn 25 until later this month. Tonyan, though, is doing plenty to help his quarterbacks feel comfortable, too.
He’s been through every situation possible. An undrafted free agent from FCS Indiana State who had to fight to earn his roster spot. An 11 touchdown-catch guy during Aaron Rodgers’ MVP 2020 season. Now, an old-head and journeyman who is on his fourth team in as many years. Based on early returns, Tonyan is going to make the roster and won’t need to worry about finding a fifth.