Report: Miami Dolphins discussing Jonnu Smith trade with Pittsburgh Steelers

The Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers are currently in trade discussions over Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith. The discussions were first reported by Adam Schefter.

Smith has expressed an interest in reworking his contract, which is set to pay him $4.8 million this season. In response, the Dolphins are looking to find a trade partner for him, though Smith would prefer to stay with the Dolphins.

“The Dolphins have had trade discussions with the Pittsburgh Steelers about their lone Pro-Bowl selection last season, tight end Jonnu Smith, per league sources,” Schefter wrote. “Those talks came after Smith expressed an interest in reworking his deal that is scheduled to pay him $4.8 million this season. With Smith seeking a new contract, Miami has sought a trade partner. Last season, Smith set the franchise record for a tight end in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. Smith’s preference, per sources, is to stay in Miami under a reworked deal.”

Last season, Jonnu Smith had by far the most productive season of his career in 2024. He was targeted 111 times and had 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. All of those were career highs for Smith. As Schefter pointed out, those were also Dolphins franchise records for a tight end and led to him going to a Pro Bowl.

Smith is a Florida native and played his college football at FIU in Miami. He’d be selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. Since then, he’s also had stops with the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons.

This comes at a time in the offseason when the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking for pass catchers. They recently traded George Pickens, who had been one of their top two options, alongside DK Metcalf. There are also questions facing the Steelers are the quarterback position as they are waiting for Aaron Rodgers to consider his future.

Last season, Pat Freiermuth was Pittsburgh’s leading receiver from the tight end position. He had 65 receptions for 653 tards and seven touchdowns. Behind him, Darnell Washington was the team’s next most productive tight end with 19 receptions for 200 yards and a touchdown. They’re both still with the team for 2025, along with three other tight ends listed on the roster. However, it’s clear that the team is interested in upgrading at the tight end position. It’s just a matter if they can get the right deal in place.