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NFL insider says the quiet part out loud about the Miami Dolphins and Jonnu Smith amid trade rumors

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kyle Crabbs | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 1:31 PM ET

If you're not careful, the daily updates centered around Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith and his hopes for a new contract with the team could give you whiplash. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported at the end of last week that the team had held trade discussions with the Pittsburgh Steelers about a potential trade to reunite Smith with his former coach, Arthur Smith.

Then, on Monday, Schefter shared that the Steelers were set to host wide receiver Gabe Davis on a free agent visit this week while mentioning that Pittsburgh "has been seeking additional receiving help and has inquired about, but is not expected to trade for, Miami TE Jonnu Smith." The pendulum quickly swung back the other way 24 hours later amid the news that Pittsburgh had experienced an injury to Donald Parham at the tight end position during OTAs.

Trade talks were, reportedly, renewed yesterday with the Steelers contacting the Dolphins again about Smith.

The most notable part of this new development is that it is the Pittsburgh Steelers that are apparently doing the fishing for a deal. Spurred on by an injury, the Steelers apparently felt compelled to dive back into the waters and re-engage the Dolphins.

It was another NFL insider, NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe, who offered the most notable insight on the situation when he said the quiet part out loud on Tuesday night. Wolfe's account renders Pittsburgh's intent and interest as secondary to the real story unfolding. Wolfe reported that "both sides want to be back in Miami." With mutual interest in finding a path in South Florida, the likelihood of the Dolphins pushing play on a trade would likely require the team to get a 'Godfather' type offer that they simply can't refuse.

All about the Benjamins: A look at Jonnu Smith-Dolphins situation, his contract & chances for a trade.

For @nflnetwork The Insiders: pic.twitter.com/kInZbBwRob
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) June 3, 2025

"Jonnu Smith is coming off a franchise-best season for a tight end in Miami and he wants to get paid. He's set to make $4.1 million and the Dolphins see a guy who just had one year. Right now they haven't been able to come to a deal. Right now, both sides want to be back in Miami ... Miami wants to keep Jonnu and they would love to get a deal done."

All the other noise can be stripped away with this report from Wolfe. If Jonnu Smith wants to be in Miami and the Dolphins not only want to have Jonnu Smith for 2025 but 'would love to get a deal done' to keep him with the Dolphins, this seems like business just needs to play itself out. Two parties that want to make things work usually find the middle ground needed to achieve that.

Negotiations can take some time and in the meantime, the Steelers may get antsy and feel more urgent to make a move. Perhaps that compels them to offer a reckless deal to the Dolphins for a familiar face. After all, it was once the Dolphins who eventually caved on overtures for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, a player the team had no intent to trade. Tunsil, upon seeing what he was being dealt to Houston for, reportedly said "I'd trade me, too".

Jonnu Smith, of course, is not Laremy Tunsil. The price of a negotiation likely doesn't flutter higher than a mid-Day 3 draft selection. Is that enough to pull Miami out of negotiations with a player they reportedly want to keep?

As things currently stand, the Steelers can call all they want. If Jonnu wants to be with the Dolphins and the Dolphins not only want to be with Jonnu but are motivated to reach an agreement, the odds should heavily favor a resolution that keeps Smith in Miami.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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