The Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins have had trade discussions surrounding Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Smith, 29, is coming off a spectacular 2024 campaign, posting career highs in receptions (88), yards (884), and touchdowns (8) for a Dolphins team that saw its first losing season since 2019-20. Smith is seeking a reworked contract, and his preference is to stay in Miami while receiving a pay raise. He’s currently scheduled to earn $4.8 million this season.
His request for a revised deal led Miami to open trade discussions, and conversations have been had with none other than the Steelers. The Steelers’ emergence as a potential trade partner should come as no surprise, as ESPN’s Field Yates added to Schefter’s report. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith “loves” Jonnu Smith from his time in both Tennessee and Atlanta.
Smith will turn 30 years old this August and has one year remaining on his contract. Pittsburgh could afford the move financially and could either extend him or move on after just one season of service. It’s possible the deal would only cost a mid-to-late round draft pick — a small price for Arthur Smith to reunite with “his guy.”
It all makes sense, but the issues lie in the potential logjam in the tight end room, and how the fanbase would receive the move. Pittsburgh has Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Donald Parham Jr., Connor Heyward, and JJ Galbreath currently on the roster. Freiermuth and Washington were both featured in the offense last season, and Connor Heyward remains a fan favorite who can play both tight end and fullback.
Trading for Jonnu Smith could be seen as yet another move to satisfy Arthur Smith. Last season, the Steelers made moves to acquire Van Jefferson, Cordarrelle Patterson, Scotty Miller, and MyCole Pruitt; all of whom previously played for Arthur Smith and his offensive scheme.
The Steelers still lack a clear starting quarterback, though many expect four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers to eventually sign. In the meantime, adding Jonnu Smith could feel like a familiar distraction — another “safe” move that dodges the franchise’s real problems. For a fanbase starved for an offensive identity and playoff wins, it’s the kind of acquisition that reeks of comfort over conviction — a textbook Arthur Smith reunion rather than a bold step forward.
This all ties back to the growing frustration among the fanbase with Mike Tomlin and the organization. To some, it appears there is a lack of urgency to obtain the franchise’s first playoff win since 2016. To others, they are simply tired of moving off talented offensive weapons — like George Pickens — in favor of cheaper options.
If the deal gets done, Steelers fans can expect to welcome a player who’d serve as a great fit next to Freiermuth. Both Smith and Freiermuth are strong receiving threats whose skill sets complement one another. But are the Steelers chasing chemistry — or simply chasing ghosts from Arthur Smith’s past?
Leave a Reply