Steelers Now
Newly acquired Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith revealed on Terron Armstead’s podcast that it was strictly a business decision in regard to the Miami Dolphins moving on from him. He wanted to play for an organization that appreciated him, and he felt Miami wasn’t offering that financially.
“I had to make the decision to go where I’m appreciated and viewed on paper, economically, contract-wise as a top guy in this league which I know I am,” Smith said. “Pittsburgh was the team that saw me as that. Going through that process, I was hurt. I didn’t think that collectively — as an organization, players, coaches — that [they believed] trading Jonnu Smith is where our success starts.”
Smith, 29, is coming off the best season of his eight-year NFL career. In 2024, he recorded a career-high 88 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. Smith was also named to his first Pro Bowl last season.
The Steelers agreed to give him a one-year, $12 million extension as part of the trade. Smith was scheduled to make just $4.8 million this season.
“I’m blessed. I’m a Steeler,” Smith said. “I’m playing for one of the most historic sports franchises in the history of sports. Under a great head coach with Mike [Tomlin]. Back with my guy Arthur Smith, who I’ve had a lot of success with in my career. And so I’m extremely blessed, bro. I couldn’t be more excited.”
Dolphins color analyst Joe Rose is confident the Steelers won’t have any buyer’s remorse with Smith.
“He’s as good as any pass-catching tight end in the NFL, Kelce included,” Rose said on Pittsburgh’s 93.7 The Fan. “He’s a first down machine. He won the Dolphins some games by himself.”
Smith replicating the production he had a season ago won’t be easy. He will have to split targets with fellow tight end Pat Freiermith, who just signed a four-year, $48.4 million contract extension last offseason, and new Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf.
Smith already has a connection with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, though. The two spent time together with the Tennessee Titans from 2017-20 and then most recently with the Atlanta Falcons (2023), so Smith’s transition to Pittsburgh should go smoothly.
Smith began his NFL career as a third-round pick (No. 100 overall) by the Titans in the 2017 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons in Tennessee before joining the New England Patriots for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
The 6-foot-3, 248-pound tight end then signed with the Falcons to reunite with Smith in Atlanta before heading to the Dolphins last year.
Smith has 307 receptions for 3,307 yards and 28 touchdowns in his professional career.
Aaron Becker contributed reporting for this story.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Jonnu Smith Reveals Why Dolphins Traded Him to Steelers
