The Dolphins and the Steelers renewed trade talks surrounding tight end Jonnu Smith earlier this week. The Smith trade conversation has a gone back and forth like a seesaw over the last couple weeks, but it's landed back in the direction of the Dolphins listening to offers.
The Steelers seemed like a suitable trade partner prior to the signing of Super Bowl champion quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and now it looks like an even better fit.
The Steelers do have Pat Freiermuth who has caught at least 60 passes in three of his four years in the NFL with the Steelers. However, the addition of Smith would add another weapon, and upgrade at the position for Rodgers.
Pittsburgh has already been active on the trade market this offseason with the addition of DK Metcalf and the departure of George Pickens.
TRADE: Seahawks trading DK Metcalf to the Steelers for a 2025 second-round pick.
Metcalf is signing a five-year, $150 million contract with Pittsburgh. (via @tompelissero, @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/fefRvz59Ud— NFL (@NFL) March 9, 2025
Metcalf cost the Steelers a second-round pick and the Pickens trade involved an additional seventh-round pick in exchange for a third-round and fifth-round pick.
Full trade: The #Cowboys traded a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder to the #Steelers in exchange for WR George Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick. pic.twitter.com/YGaK5itS4s
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 7, 2025
Now, the Steelers have the opportunity to add Smith to an offense with Metcalf, Robert Woods, Jaylen Warren and rookie Kaleb Johnson at running back, alongside a future Hall of Famer at quarterback.
Not to mention, Smith has a connection with the Steelers new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Smith coached the tight end in Tennessee, and then was his offensive coordinator. Three years later, Smith was the head coach of the Falcons with the current Dolphins' tight end playing for him.
Arthur Smith and Jonnu Smith have plenty of experience together, which is a main reason the Steelers are such a viable trade target for the Dolphins tight end.
The proposed trade idea by Bleacher Report's Kurt Benkert for Smith to the Steelers had the Dolphins getting a fourth round pick in return.
However, in his other six trade proposals, the Dolphins were getting a mix of fifth or sixth round picks in return. This seems more like the accurate price for the veteran tight end, but it'll ultimately come down to how much the desired team values Smith.
With all of this being said, it's not a done deal that Smith gets dealt. His agent has said Smith would love to play in Miami in 2025, and Mike McDaniel said he wants Smith on the team. But, football is ultimately a business and only time will tell where Smith ends up playing in 2025.
