The NFL is a cruel sports league. After tight end Jonnu Smith had a Pro Bowl year with the Miami Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa, he thought his level would grant him stability. However, after failed attempts to negotiate, he was shipped to the new-look Pittsburgh Steelers with Aaron Rodgers.
Having a career-year is usually a good sign for the team to want to keep you, but that wasn’t Miami’s case with Smith. “I didn’t foresee this happening with how the season went for me individually,” Smith said to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “I had aspirations of ending my career in Miami, with it being home for me, my children, my family. But I understand the business side of it, and it didn’t work out. I’m grateful. I’ve got no ill feelings toward Miami and nobody in the organization.”
Smith doesn’t feel hurt by how the trade went down. Clearly he wanted to spend the rest of his career in Miami’s sunshine, as opposed to Pennsylvania’s colder weather.
Tua Tagovailoa lost one of his more productive weapons
While the Steelers are having the time of their lives by bringing Jonnu Smith for a mere 5th-round pick, the Dolphins quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, not so much. Jonnu Smith had 88 receptions, 884 yards and 8 touchdowns. Losing a weapon like that must hurt.
Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins looks on after the 29-17 win against the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The Dolphins signed retired tight end Darren Waller as tight end to replace Smith. That is an astonishing move. Bringing back a retired player to replace a Pro Bowl-caliber player is not the most conventional solution there is.
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Jonnu Smith is joining an under-the-scope offense
Rodgers coming to the Steelers immediately puts a scope on the Steelers. Bringing two heavy weapons like Smith and D.K. Metcalf will do that too. Lastly, if you consider Pittsburgh haven’t had a good, productive, offense since 2018, it’s even more pressure added.
Arthur Smith, the offensive coordinator, also knows his job might be on the line if he fails to make this a good unit. The NFL is not the most patient business, and considering Rodgers will only be there for a year, Steelers must make the most of it.
