New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots are mired in the quietest part of the offseason, as many folks around the team are enjoying some vacation time before training camp gets underway. On Monday, one of their former players found themselves involved in a stunning blockbuster trade.
After enduring trade rumors for weeks, the Miami Dolphins finally found a deal for former All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, as they sent him to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was a welcome end to a saga that saw both the Dolphins and Ramsey exploring trade opportunities.
As details of this trade came out, it became more and more complex. Initially, another former All-Pro defensive back, Minkah Fitzpatrick, was believed the be the only piece going Miami’s way, reuniting them with their 2018 first-round pick.
That wasn’t true, though, because former Patriots tight end Jonnu Smith also ended up getting dealt to the Steelers as part of this deal. Pittsburgh also landed a 2027 seventh-round pick, while the Dolphins acquired a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Smith signed a four-year, $60 million contract with New England in free agency back in 2021, with the hope being that he could emerge as a key weapon on offense for them. That didn’t end up happening, though, as Smith lasted just two seasons with the team, catching 55 passes for 539 yards and one touchdown during that stretch.
During the 2023 offseason, Smith was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a 2023 seventh-round pick, as the Pats cut their losses with Smith. While he enjoyed a bounce-back campaign (50 receptions, 582 yards, three touchdowns), he got released at the end of the year.
Smith latched on with the Dolphins in 2024 and ended up enjoying the best season of his career, catching 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. All three of those totals were easily career-highs, and it resulted in him earning his first Pro Bowl selection.
With the veteran tight end looking for a new deal, Miami opted to deal him to Pittsburgh, who promptly handed him a one-year, $12 million contract extension. Smith certainly didn’t pan out in New England, but he has capitalized quite nicely on his strong campaign in 2024, and he now figures to play a big role with the Steelers this upcoming season.
