Jonnu Smith’s agent Drew Rosenhaus gives update on contract talks with the Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa was here before.
In 2024, the franchise quarterback was in the midst of contract extension talks after a Pro Bowl season. The conversation was tense at times – “the market is the market” was Tagovailoa’s famous quote that emerged during organized team activities — yet the deal got done. So when his Pro Bowl tight end found himself in a similar position in 2025, it’s no surprise that Tagovailoa picked a side.
“Oh 100%,” Tagovailoa responded Tuesday when asked if the Dolphins should pay Jonnu Smith. “That’s my guy. That’s my dog. Jonnu has done really good for us. I have nothing bad to say about him. I love him as a person, too, outside of the football. I think all of our guys that do what they need to do, they should get paid.”
The only thing is, there hasn’t been much of an update on that side. Smith did, however, sit out of minicamp as he and agent Drew Rosenhaus seek a new contract. Rosenhaus recently called conversations with the Dolphin “still fluid” on WSVN 7’s Sports Xtra.
“Nothing has been resolved yet,” Rosenhaus said Sunday night. “It’s still an ongoing situation.”
Added Rosenhaus: “I would say that it will be resolved I think by training camp, but it’s still very active right and nothing has been finalized at this juncture.”
Smith’s unhappiness with his contract likely stems from his yearly average salary ranking 32 among all tight ends, according to Spotrac. Despite his production, the Dolphins even explored a potential deal with the Steelers that would’ve landed Smith in Pittsburgh, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
With teams more focused on limiting the big-play ability of receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Smith’s 2025 season was the most productive for a tight end in Dolphins history. He set new records for receiving yards (884), catches (88) and touchdowns (eight), the latter two of which led the team. His receiving yards also ranked fourth among all tight ends.
“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.”
Without Smith, the Dolphins’ tight end room begins to look a little bleak. Only one tight end — Julian Hill — had at least 10 catches and 100 yards receiving in 2024. Hill, much like the Dolphins’ Pharoah Brown, the only tight end signed during free agency, primarily serves as a blocking tight end.
The other three guys — Tanner Conner, Hayden Rucci and Jaylin Connors — have little to no NFL experience. Conner’s lone NFL start came in 2024, the same season in which he posted his catch despite being in the league since 2022. Rucci, meanwhile, spent the 2024 season on the practice squad and Connors was a rookie, undrafted free agent signing.
With training camp roughly a month away, the clock is ticking for the Dolphins. The offense needs to get back on track in 2025 and Smith’s importance cannot be emphasized enough. Despite McDaniel’s hesitancy to sometimes comment on contractual issues, even he briefly sung Smith’s praises during minicamp.
“Jonnu is a very important player and person to me and to the guys,” coach Mike McDaniel said in early June. “One thing that we can stand on is his professionalism and how he goes about his business.’
It also can’t hurt that the franchise quarterback is team “Pay Jonnu.”
