Steelers Land Pro Bowl Star in Trade Shocker as Jonnu Smith Throws Shade at Dolphins

Pittsburgh, PA – July 3, 2025

It wasn’t just a blockbuster trade. It was a message.

When the Steelers sent Minkah Fitzpatrick to Miami in exchange for Jalen Ramsey, a late-round pick, and tight end Jonnu Smith, the league raised its eyebrows. Not just because of the player-for-player dynamic—rare in today’s NFL—but because Pittsburgh doesn’t usually play this boldly. Not unless they see something special.

And Jonnu Smith? He saw something special, too.

After a breakout Pro Bowl season with the Dolphins—88 receptions, 884 yards, 8 touchdowns—Smith expected Miami to commit. He’d become a vital weapon in their offense, and believed he’d earned a long-term deal. But the call never came.

"Me and my agent thought it was a no-brainer," Smith admitted on The Terron Armstead Podcast. "We were like, ‘We're gonna be here forever.’ But then they told me they couldn’t do it. That stung."

It was the kind of sting that forces clarity. Smith wasn’t going to chase shadows. He wanted to be where he was valued—not just as a player, but as a centerpiece. Pittsburgh didn’t just trade for him. They backed up the belief with a one-year extension worth $12 million, locking him in through 2027. That spoke volumes.

"You’re always going to go where you’re most appreciated. And Pittsburgh saw me as a top guy in this league, which I know I am," he said.

Smith now joins a revamped Steelers offense headlined by DK Metcalf and Robert Woods, plus key holdovers like Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, and Pat Freiermuth. But perhaps the biggest reason to expect fireworks? He’s back with Arthur Smith, his former OC from both Atlanta and Tennessee. That history matters. That trust means something.

"I'm in a situation where I'm appreciated," Smith said simply. "And that changes everything."

For Pittsburgh, this isn’t just a fresh weapon. It’s a declaration of intent. Jonnu didn’t come to fade quietly. He came to make noise. And he might just find his greatest success yet in black and gold.

Stay tuned to ESPN for more.