With the Pittsburgh Steelers out of the equation, it appears that Jonnu Smith will return to the Miami Dolphins in 2025, but will the two sides agree on a new contract?
After lighting the world on fire late last week with a report that the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers have engaged in trade talks for Pro Bowl Tight End Jonnu Smith, ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that a trade is not expected to happen.
According to Schefter, the Steelers have moved on from Smith and are visiting with former Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars free agent wide receiver Gabe Davis later today.
Sources: Former Bills and Jaguars WR Gabe Davis is scheduled to travel to Pittsburgh on Wednesday to visit with the Steelers on Thursday.
Pittsburgh has been seeking additional receiving help and has inquired about, but is not expected to trade for, Miami TE Jonnu Smith. pic.twitter.com/0lctkfJS0R
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 3, 2025
This news comes after Smith’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told WSVN-7 in Miami that his client wanted to stay in Miami. “Jonnu would definitely like to stay in Miami. That’s his first choice. This is where he lives in the off-season. He had a record-breaking season last year.” Rosenhaus even went so far as to say Miami was Smith’s “dream team.”
And yet, at the very least, Smith still wants to get #paid, which is perfectly reasonable after the record-breaking season he had in Miami. Last year, in his first full season with the Dolphins, Smith was targeted a career-high 111 times, catching a franchise record (for a tight end) 88 receptions for 804 yards (also a record) and eight touchdowns (also a record).
According to Spotrac, Smith is the 38th-ranked tight end based on contract value. That number puts him between Denver Broncos TE Adam Trautman and Green Bay Packers TE Luke Musgrave. His $4.2 million average salary ranks 32nd in the NFL according to Spotrac (he is set to make $4.64 million in 2025). When you crunch the numbers, you can see why Smith wants more money or a new deal with Miami.
On the other side of the coin, you can see why Miami isn’t quick to fork out new money to a 30-year-old tight end who just had his best season of his career in 2024. The team currently has much bigger issues, like trading cornerback Jalen Ramsey and finding his replacement, than paying Smith.
Not to mention, both General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Mike McDaniel should be on the hot seat this season. Is there any reason for Stephen Ross to let Grier continue to make long-term roster decisions when his term could be coming to an end with another disappointing season?
jonnu smith career-day propaganda pic.twitter.com/lHG6L8AsHP
— josh houtz (@houtz) November 19, 2024
Ultimately, I believe Smith will remain in Miami unless other teams start to show interest. Perhaps they add some money to his deal this year to make everyone happy, but as of now, a long-term deal doesn’t seem to fit what the Dolphins are doing. And with so much uncertainty in the secondary, using the available cap on a Smith extension just doesn’t make sense.
What are your thoughts on the Jonnu Smith trade rumors? Do you want him to be Miami’s week one starter? How do you feel about the rest of the tight end room, if a trade were to happen? Do you think he can build upon his 2024 season, or do you think that was his ceiling? Let us know in the comments section below!