Miami Dolphins in Talks with Pittsburgh Steelers Regarding Jonnu Smith
The Miami Dolphins are in trade talks with the Pittsburgh Steelers, focused on tight end Jonnu Smith. Smith has expressed interest in renegotiating his two-year contract, signed last season, which would pay him $4.8 million in 2025.
Smith was not present at Miami’s OTA voluntary practices this week.The Steelers’ interest in Smith stems from offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s long-standing relationship with the tight end. Arthur Smith was a tight ends coach and offensive coordinator for Jonnu Smith in Tennessee, and then signed him during his time as the Falcons’ coach.
Smith set a franchise record for receptions (88) and receiving yards (884) by a tight end last season, en route to his first Pro Bowl selection. He led all Dolphins players in receptions in his first year with the team, and finished behind Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, and George Kittle in receiving yards by a tight end league-wide.
A Smith trade could mean the Dolphins begin the 2025 season without four prominent veteran leaders from the previous season, including defensive lineman Calais Campbell, offensive lineman Terron Armstead, and defensive back Jalen Ramsey, whom Miami is also looking to trade this offseason.
Miami is not necessarily equipped to start the season without Smith, who played 54.8% of the offensive snaps in 2024. Julian Hill has operated as Miami’s primary blocking tight end and returns in 2025, and the Dolphins traded Durham Smythe for the free agent signing Pharaoh Brown, who is also known more as a blocker than a receiver.
Third-year veteran Tanner Conner, a former college wide receiver, and undrafted free agent Jaylin Conyers round out Miami’s tight end group.The tight end has performed well in Arthur Smith’s offenses, including an eight-touchdown season in 2020.
However, the Steelers do not have a pressing need at the tight end position. Pittsburgh signed 2021 second-round pick Pat Freiermuth to a four-year, $48 million extension last offseason, and they also return 2023 third-round pick Darnell Washington and 2022 sixth-round tight end/fullback Connor Heyward. Pittsburgh also signed former Chargers tight end Donald Parham Jr., who has 11 career touchdowns, earlier this offseason.
The Steelers carried four tight ends on their 53-man roster last season. The only departure from that group was MyCole Pruitt, who was not re-signed after initially joining the Steelers on a one-year contract last season. Like Jonnu Smith, Pruitt had a long history with Arthur Smith and played for him in both Tennessee and Atlanta.
