Veteran tight end Jonnu Smith is officially a Green Bay Packer, signing a one-year deal on Thursday that makes the Packers his fifth team in five seasons, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. This move comes after the Pittsburgh Steelers released Smith in early March, saving them a hefty $7 million against the cap.
The Pro Bowl Peak That Feels Ages Ago
Smith’s journey has been a whirlwind. He kicked off his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans from 2017 to 2020, then spent two seasons with the New England Patriots in 2021 and 2022. After a year with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023, he absolutely exploded with the Miami Dolphins in 2024. That was his career year, folks! He racked up 88 catches, 884 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns, earning his first-ever Pro Bowl nod. Dolphins fans must have loved that guy.
A Steep Decline And A New Start In Green Bay
That Dolphins magic didn’t follow him to Pittsburgh. Smith was traded along with Jalen Ramsey to the Steelers ahead of the 2025 season, in exchange for Minkah Fitzpatrick and a late-round pick swap. With the Steelers, his production plummeted, catching just 38 passes for 222 yards and only two touchdowns. Turns out, quarterback Aaron Rodgers had other favorite targets, like wideout DK Metcalf, tight end Pat Freiermuth, and even running back Kenny Gainwell out of the backfield. Given that big drop-off, the Steelers cutting him wasn’t a shocker. Now, Green Bay is banking on him. He’s joining Tucker Kraft on the tight end depth chart, and the Packers are absolutely hoping they get the 2024 Dolphins version of Smith. If they do, this signing could be one of the best value pickups of the offseason. Otherwise, it’s just another stop on a wild, five-team ride.
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Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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