Tight finish Jonnu Smith is blissful to show a profession yr in Miami right into a 2025 marketing campaign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ideally, Smith needed to complete his profession in South Seaside however when stalled contract negotiations modified these plans, he’s blissful to reunite with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. And get the contract extension he was searching for.
Talking with former Miami teammate Terron Armstead throughout a Wednesday evening interview, Smith shared the small print over how the commerce went down.
“I’m in a scenario the place I’m appreciated. You being a 12 year-vet, you recognize what I imply?” Smith mentioned, referring to the recently-retired Armstead who performed for a number of groups. “And as a lot as success as you had and your familiarity with how this enterprise works, you recognize you’re at all times gonna be the place you most valued and appreciated.”
Commerce rumors about Smith started months in the past with agent Drew Rosenhaus utilizing insiders like ESPN’s Adam Schefter to alert Smith’s want for a brand new contract. In his lone yr with Miami, Smith posted profession numbers, catching 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. Not but 30, Smith needed a increase and good-money contract earlier than shedding market worth the older he acquired.
“Me and my agent, we’re like it is a no-brainer. We’ll be right here endlessly,” Smith mentioned of his considering in January, revealing he purchased a home in Miami with the intention to remain.
The Dolphins wouldn’t meet his quantity and Smith’s camp started exploring different choices. Pittsburgh was a simple dot to attach. Arthur Smith and Jonnu Smith share loads of historical past. Jonnu was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2017 when Arthur served because the crew’s tight finish coach earlier than being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2019. Because the Atlanta Falcons head coach in 2023, Arthur Smith traded for Jonnu from the New England Patriots. Jonnu Smith went on to have his greatest yr thus far earlier than his breakout ’24 marketing campaign.
“I’m blessed. I’m a Steeler,” Smith mentioned of becoming a member of the crew. “I’m enjoying for probably the most historic sports activities franchises within the historical past of sports activities. Beneath an awesome head coach with Mike [Tomlin]. Again with my man Arthur Smith, who I’ve had quite a lot of success with all through my profession. And so I’m extraordinarily blessed, bro. I couldn’t be extra excited.”
Finally, Smith’s departure got here as a part of Monday’s mega-trade that despatched CB Jalen Ramsey from Miami to Pittsburgh. In trade, the Steelers traded FS Minkah Fitzpatrick, returning to a Dolphins’ crew who drafted him in 2018. As a part of the settlement, Pittsburgh signed Smith to a one-year extension value $12 million.
Smith added he wanted to go to a crew who considered him “economically” as a high tight finish.
“Pittsburgh was the crew that noticed me as that.”
It made for a uncommon players-for-player deal, particularly for the lifeless of offseason, however signaled Pittsburgh’s aggressiveness and prepared to show over the roster in pursuit of a playoff win and past.
Now a Steeler, Smith’s versatility to align all around the offense shall be leaned on. He’s competing with loads of different targets in a run-heavy system, which means it’s unlikely he matches his manufacturing from a yr in the past. A stat line just like what he had in 2023, 50 receptions for beneath 600 yards, is extra attainable. However he’s the most effective pass-catching improve the crew may’ve added of its obtainable choices and may rapidly decide up the system, able to roll for Latrobe in three weeks.
