News

Steelers Are Unlikey To Trade For Dolphins Tight End Jonnu Smith

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 22: Jonnu Smith #9 of the Miami Dolphins reacts during the second half of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Steelers are not expected to trade for the Miami Dolphins’ tight end Jonnu Smith after engaging in trade talks with the Dolphins.

The 29-year-old star tight end expressed interest to the Dolphins in reworking the two-year deal he signed last offseason, which would pay him $4.8 million in 2025, sources tell ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Smith wasn’t present for the Dolphins’ voluntary OTA practices last week.

Smith’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Sunday night that his client’s “first choice” is to remain with the Dolphins.

“Here’s what I will say on behalf of my client: Jonnu would definitely like to stay in Miami. That’s his first choice,” Rosenhaus said in his weekly appearance on WSVN-TV. “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 Dolphins 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. His dream team is the Dolphins.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Smith finished the 2024 season with 88 receptions, 884 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, which led to his first career Pro Bowl selection. He led all Dolphins players in receptions in his first year with the team and finished behind only Las Vegas Raiders’ Brock Bowers, Arizona Cardinals’ Trey McBride and San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle league-wide in receiving yards by a tight end.

The Steelers’ interest in the Pro Bowl tight end is rooted in Smith’s longstanding relationship with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Smith was Smith’s tight end coach and offensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans. Smith later traded for his former player while he was head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

The Steelers are in search of receiving help after trading star wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. It looks like the Steelers will look to free agent wide receiver Gabe Davis as they look to host the free agent this week.