Pittsburgh, PA – July, 1 2025
When the Steelers pulled off the blockbuster deal that landed Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins, headlines erupted across the NFL. But somewhere beneath the surface of the Ramsey splash, Pittsburgh made another move — one that could end up being just as vital to the team’s Super Bowl ambitions.
He wasn’t the loudest name in the trade. He didn’t post cryptic tweets or issue bold statements. But when the ink dried, he was holding a one-year, $12 million contract and the weight of expectation in his hands.
That man is Jonnu Smith.
At 29, Smith arrives in Pittsburgh fresh off the best season of his career — 88 catches, 884 yards, 8 touchdowns, and his first-ever Pro Bowl nod. He was more than a safety valve in Miami — he was a red-zone hammer, a seam-route artist, and a matchup nightmare for linebackers. Now, he steps into a Steelers offense being built to make one last run under Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin.
And this isn’t just a depth signing. This is a calculated chess move.
While Pat Freiermuth remains a reliable tight end option, his inconsistencies — five drops and three fumbles in 2024 — left questions. Smith brings something different: explosiveness, precision, and chemistry waiting to happen with Rodgers, who once made Robert Tonyan a touchdown machine in Green Bay running the same routes Smith thrives on.
"If you watched him in 2020 with Tonyan, you know what Rodgers can do with a TE like this," one scout said. "Smith is faster, stronger, and he knows Arthur Smith’s offense by heart."
Yes — that Arthur Smith. The very coordinator who unlocked Jonnu’s first 8-TD season in Tennessee is now calling plays in Pittsburgh. Reunited, refocused, and ready to unleash chaos across AFC defenses.
Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 248 pounds, Smith isn’t just a mismatch — he’s a blueprint for modern tight end utility. Block if you need. Motion if you dare. Explode when you must. And now, with Rodgers under center and Ramsey anchoring the other side of the ball, Smith becomes the perfect silent weapon.
This isn’t about headlines. It’s about hardware.
Pittsburgh didn’t just get louder with this deal — they got sharper, smarter, and closer to the team that no one wants to face in January.
Stay tuned to ESPN!
