In podcast interview, Smith told Terron Armstead Miami’s unwillingness to give him new contract “stung.”
The Miami Dolphins completed a blockbuster trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this week — a deal that saw the Dolphins re-acquire safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in exchange for tight end Jonnu Smith and cornerback Jalen Ramsey with a late round draft pick swap also part of the compensation.
Plenty of media members and fans of both franchises have chimed in with their opinions on the shocking trade, but on Wednesday night, the world got to hear how one player involved in the deal felt about leaving the Dolphins and going to the Steelers when Jonnu Smith joined former Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead on the retired offensive lineman’s new YouTube podcast.
“I’m in a situation where I am appreciated… You always want to be where you’re most valued and appreciated and that’s the situation that I find myself in with Pittsburgh,” said Smith.
He continued: “Obviously, you know, I didn’t foresee this happening with how the season went for me individually. Obviously, I had aspirations of ending my career with Miami with it basically being home for me and my children, my family, but I understand the business side of it and it didn’t work out. I’m grateful. I have no ill feelings towards Miami and nobody in the organization. I can’t sit here and lie and say that it didn’t sting when the process was playing itself out.”
Smith revealed that the Dolphins told him they couldn’t afford to retain him and pay him what the player thought he was worth.
“I felt like I was in a position and one of the key ingredients to helping this team succeed and after the season ended, me and my agent, we like ‘This a no-brainer. We’re gonna be here forever. Eventually it came a point and time when they told me they can’t do it.”
While the Dolphins continue to prioritize balancing their finances with an eye towards future flexibility, surprising roster casualties will be an unfortunate reality for some players. Jonnu Smith’s raise wasn’t in their plans, so Miami ultimately decided it was time to let him go elsewhere to get his money. Smith revealed that he was grateful that they allowed that to happen instead of forcing him to play on his current deal.
For the entire conversation between Terron Armstead and Jonnu Smith click here.