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Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Jonnu Smith is underrated addition in blockbuster trade for Steelers

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 4:04 PM ET

As Steelers fans are trying to digest the trade that sent Minkah Fitzpatrick back to Miami and will bring Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh, there's an underrated part of the trade that may end up having a big impact on the upcoming season.

In addition to Ramsey, a three-time All-Pro, the Steelers acquired tight end Jonnu Smith. Even though the addition of Ramsey is the headline of the deal, Smith has the potential to be the tipping point in the trade that makes it a complete win for Pittsburgh.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 248 pounds by ESPN, Smith, 29, who spent the 2024 season in Miami, will now provide Aaron Rodgers with another option on offense. In fact, Smith is coming off a breakout season, catching 88 passes for 884 yards and scoring eight touchdowns, a significant jump from the 50 receptions and 582 yards he produced in 2023 as a member of the Atlanta Falcons.

Smith will join incumbent Pat Freiermuth to form a one-two punch that has the potential to be one of the most dangerous tight end duos in the league, especially within offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's system, one that relies on the run game setting up short passes to move the chains.

And to dispel thoughts about any possible dissension between two similar players, Freiermuth reached out to 93.7 The Fan host Donny Chedrick to offer a simple "I'm pumped" reaction.

Pat Freiermuth's excitement is important here because Smith has production that could argue as being the top pass catching tight end. But Freiermuth is always a team-first guy and the two of them together can open up a lot of opportunities for the offense. https://t.co/kTXmioJ47h
— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) June 30, 2025

Steelers correspondent for "The Pat McAfee Show" Mark Kaboly is reporting Pittsburgh views Smith as a tight end, a slot receiver and a full back. This signals the Steelers have big plans for their new offensive weapon and may even incorporate plays with both Freiermuth and Smith on the field at the same time.

What I have been told is the Steelers' view Jonnu Smith as a TE, a slot WR, and a fullback -- they will use him in a very hybrid way in Arthur Smith's offense.

AND they see Jalen Ramsey as an outside corner, slot corner, AND he can take some snaps at safety.@PatMcAfeeShow
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) June 30, 2025

Having multiple pass catching tight ends on the roster also helps counter their lack of depth in the actual wide receiver room. The concern after the Steelers shipped George Pickens off to Dallas was that defenses could just double up DK Metcalf and attempt to eliminate him as an option for Rodgers.

This move remedies that problem a bit, granted not directly, and may even foreshadow more to come as general manager Omar Khan looks to reshape the roster.

So while Smith may not have been the driving factor in the trade - Fitzpatrick's declining production and a belief in Ramsey made the Steelers comfortable enough to pull the trigger - Smith sweetened the pot and may end up being one of the most underrated additions across the entire NFL.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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