The ongoing saga of will-they or will-they-not continues with the Miami Dolphins and the possibility of trading Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith, specifically to the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicated the trade was dead, with the Dolphins keeping Smith. Later Tuesday, Schefter updated his report, however, indicating theSteelers are back in on trying to acquire Smith.
Pittsburgh restarted the talks with Miami following a season-ending Achilles tear to tight end Donald Parham, Jr. The injury moves the acquisition of Smith from a luxury move for the Steelers into a near-requirement.
For the Dolphins, the decision point is simply weighing the value of players or draft picks returned in the trade against a possible new contract for Smith. Miami also has to consider the lack of an immediate replacement for Smith on the free agent market.
After being selected for his first Pro Bowl, Smith is entering the second year of a two-year contract he signed with Miami. The deal has no remaining guaranteed money, and Smith would like to see some security, as well as additional years, in a new contract.
Earlier this week, Drew Rosenhaus, Smith’s agent, told WSVN-7 in Miami, “Hopefully, everything works out where he can stay in Miami.” Will that happen, or will the Steelers become desperate to land Smith and make an offer the Dolphins cannot refuse?