The Pittsburgh Steelers were searching for answers in the weeks after trading receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. With a handful of veteran free agents available at receiver, there have plenty of options to comb through.
However, the Steelers have also gotten creative. The team investigated diving deeper into 12 personnel by checking in on Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith. ...
And on Monday, they traded for him.
Jonnu folds into the same blockbuster swap that brings to Pittsburgh the All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
The deal as a whole: The Dolphins have agreed to deal Ramsey, Smith and a 2027 seventh-round pick to Pittsburgh in exchange for Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
This all comes on the heels of agent Drew Rosenhaus saying Jonnu wanted to stay with Miami.
"Here's what I will say on behalf of my client: Jonnu would definitely like to stay in Miami," Rosenhaus said, via the Miami Herald. "That's his first choice. This is where he lives in the offseason. He had a record-breaking season last year. It was the best season ever for a Miami Dolphin tight end. ... He broke the team record for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns for a tight end and was the team's single Pro Bowl player. He's an incredibly valuable part of this team. ... He went to college at FIU.”
He did indeed put up numbers there; Last season, Smith had the best campaign of his career, hauling in 88 catches for 884 yards and eight scores.
But Miami didn't want to foot the financial bill here (as was the case with Ramsey) as Jonnu is getting a one-year extension in Pittsburgh worth a reported $12 million.
Starting tight end Pat Freiermuth is a viable first-teamer, but Smith has long been the apple of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s eye as the two worked together in Tennessee. The former is versatile enough to play in-line and in the slot, and Smith’s ability to make plays over the middle of the field and after the catch mimics a receiver’s impact.
With Darnell Washington adding an imposing blocking presence to the line, the Steelers could remain multi-faceted, even with heavier personnel on the field. ... as now they have three tight ends who figure as helpers in the Aaron Rodgers-led offense.