Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Jonnu Smith was prepared to spend the rest of his football career in South Beach. Instead, in freezing temperatures on Monday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ tight end was leaving the Miami Dolphins in the dust.
With the Steelers up 18 points in the fourth quarter, Smith lined up in the backfield and took a toss from Aaron Rodgers. He hit a hole opened up by Adam Thielen and Darnell Washington and raced in untouched for a 14-yard rushing touchdown.
“That was nice, huh?” Smith said afterwards. “All credit due to those guys up front, making that a lot easier. If you go back and watch the film, man, you could’ve drove a truck through that thing.”
Smith, who’d had a career year with Mike McDaniel’s team last season, arrived in Pittsburgh with Jalen Ramsey via trade this past offseason. Smith denied having any added motivation entering the matchup.
“It’s another game for me,” Smith said after Saturday’s practice. “You can’t get caught up with the emotions of it. I’m a professional. I’m gonna go handle this game like any other.”
Smith has shared his positional duties with Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth, with Washington emerging as a key cog in the Steelers’ attack. Smith knew the magnitude of the home victory in primetime.
“It was even better getting that win, though,” Smith said. “We needed that one to make this push. … This time of year, December, this is when you either get ready to play meaningful football or plan your vacation. We wanna be on the right side of this thing.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Sweet Revenge: Jonnu Smith Makes Dolphins Regret Steelers Trade
