Former Packers player loves rivalry jab from new Bears teammate

Chicago Bears defensive tackle Justin Jones called out Green Bay Packers fans for being “obnoxious,” and tight end Robert Tonyan likes “that fire in him.”

The Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears rivalry may look a bit different without quarterback Aaron Rodgers involved, but the bad blood between both teams still rages on. Earlier this week, Bears defensive tackle Justin Jones spoke about it, but then made a shift to calling out Packers fans. From calling them “s****y” and “obnoxious,” to saying “half of them don’t even know football.” And with that, the NFL world was assured that the rivalry would still have that heat.

This offseason, the Bears signed former Packers tight end Robert Tonyan. So, what does the ex-Green Bay player think about Jones’ comments about the fanbase of his former team? Tonyan said that “you can say just about anything about any fan base,” and that he likes Jones’ passion.

“It’s funny. . . . JJ is a little opinionated on that and I like that. I like that fire in him,” Tonyan said, h/t Pro Football Talk.

Robert Tonyan loves Justin Jones’ jab at Packers fans

Tonyan had spent his entire career in the NFC North. Despite signing with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent out of Indiana State, he was released by the team. Tonyan would then join the Packers and became a fixture of their offense.

2020 was perhaps Tonyan’s biggest season yet, as he recorded 11 touchdown receptions, a career-high. Before and since he had not recorded more than two touchdowns in a single season.

This past season, Tonyan recorded 53 receptions for 470 yards and two touchdowns on 67 targets through 17 games (three starts).

Tonyan signed a one-year, $2.65 million contract with the Bears. While he is on the other side of the heated rivalry, he’s not alone. The tight end has now reunited with Luke Getsy, his former passing game coordinator and the current Bears offensive coordinator, wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, and offensive guard Lucas Patrick.

This season, we will enter the “Jordan Love phase” of the Packers-Bears rivalry. Bears fans will certainly be hoping that Love doesn’t “own” the team as Rodgers did throughout his lengthy tenure.