Robert Tonyan
Robert Tonyan
Earlier in training camp, we noted that veteran tight end Robert Tonyan was quickly becoming a best friend to quarterbacks Will Howard and Drew Allar. That carried over to Thursday night’s preseason opener, with Howard-to-Tonyan as hot a connection as any at Acrisure Stadium.
After the game, Howard showed Tonyan as much love on the podium as he did on the field.
“I think Bobby’s a hell of a football player, man,” Howard told reporters via the team website after the game, referring to “Robert” Tonyan. “It’s crazy that Green Bay let him walk, but I’m thankful that he’s here because he can still play like he did in 2020 with Aaron in 2021. He’s a great piece to have around here. Obviously, we already have Pat and we have Darnell, but to have a third guy like that in the room is huge.”
Howard, Tonyan and the Steelers’ offense came alive late in the first half. After a 17-yard, fourth-down completion from Howard to WR Ben Skowronek, a playcall Aaron Rodgers had input in, Howard began finding Tonyan. On the ensuing play after Skowronek’s catch, Howard moved to his left and found Tonyan breaking open over the middle for a 16-yard gain.
On the next snap, Howard layered a throw down the middle and over the underneath coverage complete again to Tonyan, who nearly scored.
HOWARD TO TONYAN. TD???? #Steelers pic.twitter.com/VDZwsqkCX4
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) August 14, 2026
Running back Lew Nichols punched the ball in the next play. Howard returned to open up second half, and though it was less productive, Howard found Tonyan open sitting down at the sticks for another conversion.
Howard to Tonyan for a first on 3rd #Steelers pic.twitter.com/GB8QyY0OcD
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) August 14, 2026
Tonyan finished the day with four catches for 61 yards. If this was a regular season game, it would’ve been his biggest performance since Week 6 of the 2022 season, his final with the Packers. Tonyan was once Aaron Rodgers’ favorite target en route to an 11-touchdown campaign in 2020. Thursday night, he was Howard’s.
“He kind of turned into my go-to guy tonight. Which was great,” Howard said.
While Tonyan left the Green Bay Packers to sign with the Chicago Bears several years ago, and Tonyan is nearing the end of his career, the Steelers are only focused on how he can help right now. So far, that’s been as a security blanket to Howard and Allar.
Tonyan has a good chance to make the team and join fellow tight end safety valves in the sure-handed Pat Freiermuth and wide-body Darnell Washington.