Veteran Chiefs TE Comeback – “12 Personnel” Set to Return at Arrowhead

For years, the Kansas City Chiefs offense was synonymous with speed, flash, and big plays—but over the last two seasons, something had been missing. The dazzling rhythm of multiple tight ends threatening defenses faded as the team leaned heavily on Travis Kelce, searching for reliable help elsewhere. But as 2025 training camp heats up in St. Joseph, a familiar formula is quietly re-emerging: the “12 personnel” package, powered by a veteran resurgence no one saw coming.

Enter Robert Tonyan.
A proven pass-catcher and red zone threat during his time in Green Bay, Tonyan arrived in Kansas City with little fanfare. Yet, just weeks into camp, he’s become the talk of the offense. Whether it’s his precise route-running, sure hands, or veteran poise, Tonyan has given Patrick Mahomes something he sorely needed: a second tight end who can truly make defenses pay.

Tonyan’s chemistry with Mahomes has been apparent on intermediate throws and goal-line packages. Chiefs beat reporters have noticed Andy Reid experimenting more with two tight end sets, echoing the system that once made Kansas City nearly impossible to defend in crunch time. With defenses forced to pay attention to both Kelce and Tonyan, new opportunities are opening up across the field for the team’s young receivers and backs.

When asked about Tonyan’s impact and the renewed focus on “12 personnel,” head coach Andy Reid didn’t hold back his excitement:
“Robert brings an edge and experience that elevates everyone around him. We haven’t had this type of two-tight-end threat in a while, and it gives us the flexibility to attack defenses in ways we haven’t done for years. I have full confidence in Robert—he’s going to be a real ace up our sleeve this season.”

After last year’s struggles to find a reliable complement to Kelce, the Chiefs’ offense suddenly feels unpredictable again. The possibility of Tonyan and Kelce lining up together, flexing out wide, or double-teaming the red zone brings back memories of Kansas City’s most innovative years under Reid.

As the countdown to preseason continues, Robert Tonyan’s veteran savvy is sparking optimism in Chiefs Kingdom. With Andy Reid’s creative mind and a renewed commitment to “12 personnel,” Kansas City may have just found the secret ingredient to reclaim their offensive swagger—and Tonyan, the veteran many had overlooked, could be the key to it all.