Dolphins, Steelers engaged in conversations about a trade centered on Jonnu Smith
The Miami Dolphins could soon deal yet another Pro Bowler.
Roughly a month and a half after reports surfaced that Jalen Ramsey and the Dolphins mutually agreed to find a trade, it turns out the franchise apparently has had talks to deal tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The conversations stem from Smith wanting a new deal following a 2024 season in which he rewrote the Dolphins history books, setting franchise records for tight ends in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns en route to his first Pro Bowl selection. He’s scheduled to make $4.8 million in 2025, per Schefter, although his average salary per year — $4.2 million — ranks far below players such as Mike Gesicki, Hunter Henry and Juwan Johnson, according to Spotrac.
Although Smith wants to stay in Miami, per Schefter, Pittsburgh likely emerged as an ideal landing spot due to the tight end’s connection with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Arthur Smith was not only the offensive coordinator during Smith’s two best seasons with the Tennessee Titans in 2019 and 2020, he later traded for the tight end in 2023, his final year as head coach for the Atlanta Falcons.
Jonnu Smith signed a two-year, $9 million deal with the Dolphins ahead of the 2024 season. After a relatively slow start, Smith finished the year as the Dolphins leader in both receptions (88) and receiving touchdowns (eight). His 884 yards receiving ranked second on the team and fourth among all tight ends.
In spite of his individual success, Smith always kept a team-first mindset.
“Lighting up the stat sheet doesn’t win football games,” Smith said Dec. 2. “But I understand that individuals having individual success, if the bulk of the team is having individual success; then that’s going to lead to a bunch of wins, so I’m just trying to do my part and be the best version of myself for this team to put us in the best situation to win games.”
The potential trade of Smith would be huge blow to team that already lost veteran leaders such as defensive tackle Calais Campbell and offensive tackle Terron Armstead. Ramsey, as mentioned earlier, will likely be traded after June 1. What’s even worse is that Smith’s success in short and intermediate routes could potentially help open up some deep ball shots for Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in 2025.
“He really helped us out with taking advantage of the space that was given up to cover some of the deep zones from both ‘Reek’ and Waddle,” coach Mike McDaniel said Jan. 7. “The more effective you are at doing that, once you prove that you can march down the field and beat very preventative, cautious defenses, you have time of possession and you score a touchdown, they will try to get you off the field in different ways and that’s what opens up the full utility belt of offense.”
Miami’s tight end room without Smith doesn’t look quite promising, either. Outside of the 2024 Pro Bowler, only one tight end — Julian Hill — had at least 10 catches and 100 yards receiving in 2024. Hill, however, is primarily a blocking tight end, something that 2024 free agent signee Pharaoh Brown specializes in as well.
The final three guys — Tanner Conner, Hayden Rucci and Jaylin Connors — have limited NFL experience. Conner’s lone NFL start came in 2024, the same season in which he posted his first statistics (three catches for 16 yards). Rucci, meanwhile, spent the 2024 season on the practice squad and Connors was a rookie, undrafted free agent signing.
This story was originally published May 29, 2025 at 4:29 PM.
