Before being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jonnu Smith imagined finishing his career with the Miami Dolphins. Plans eventually changed, as the tight end found himself as part of a blockbuster trade.
Jonnu Smith Wanted To Stay With The Dolphins
Smith will be donning the iconic black and yellow uniform this season.
Earlier this week, the Dolphins traded Smith, cornerback Jalen Ramsey, and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Steelers for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Ramsey and the Dolphins had agreed to seek out a trade earlier this offseason. Ramsey getting dealt is not surprising. However, Smith did not expect to be in the trade, let alone on a new team.
Smith made his first comments on Wednesday night during an interview with his former teammate, the now-retired Terron Armstead. Simply put, Smith believed he would end his career with the Dolphins.
“I didn’t foresee this happening with how the season went for me individually,” Smith said on Armstead’s podcast. “Obviously I had aspirations of ending my career in Miami, with it basically 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 had his best season as a pro in 2024. Smith recorded 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns, all organizational records for a tight end.
Smith became one of the Dolphins’ go-to guys, especially with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle struggling on the outside.
Contract Issues Led To The Eventual Trade
Create your own narrative. Let’s get to it @steelers
⚫️🟡 pic.twitter.com/gIuqXH3efN— Jonnu Smith (@Easymoney_81) July 2, 2025
Smith signed a two-year, $8.4 million contract with the Dolphins in the 2024 offseason.
After having the best statistical season for a Dolphins’ tight end, Smith wanted a pay raise.
Smith’s agents and the Dolphins’ brass began discussing a new contract after the season.
“We started this conversation in January with Miami and, obviously, giving me the run-around, ‘We’ll [get] back to it,’ ” Smith said. “Obviously, they had some things they had to address, and I understand that. I was patient with them throughout the whole entire process, and eventually it came to a point in time where they told me that they just can’t do it and they weren’t economically in a position to pay me like a Pro Bowl tight end.”
The Dolphins and Smith could not come to terms on a new deal. While having no ill will toward the Dolphins, he’s excited to work with the Steelers, a team that gave Smith a pay raise thanks to a one-year, $12 million extension.
“I had to make the decision to say ‘Man, well I’ve got to go where I am appreciated and viewed on paper, economically, contract-wise as a top guy in this league which I know I am,'” Smith said. “And Pittsburgh was the team that saw me as that.”
