The Steelers-Dolphins trade, Part Three: Why Jonnu Smith’s addition is so important to the Steelers

The Steelers and Dolphins executed a blockbuster trade last Monday, swapping Pro Bowl defensive backs Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jalen Ramsey. The Dolphins also sent tight end Jonnu Smith to the Steelers, and the teams exchanged late round picks in 2027.

I’m looking at this trade in three separate parts, each highlighting one of the players involved. Parts One and Two deal with Fitzpatrick and Ramsey, respectively. You can read them both below. Today’s Part Three examines what tight end Jonnu Smith brings to Pittsburgh, and why offensive coordinator Arthur Smith regards him so highly.

Steelers-Dolphins Trade, Part One: Why did the Steelers move on from Minkah Fitzpatrick?

Steelers-Dolphins Trade, Part Two: What does Jalen Ramsey bring to Pittsburgh?

HISTORY

The two Smiths are far from strangers. Jonnu Smith played for Arthur Smith in both Tennessee and Atlanta, where he was a valued piece of the offense. He caught eight touchdown passes for Arthur Smith from 2017-2019 in Tennessee, then had 50 receptions and three touchdowns for him in 2023 in Atlanta. The 6’3-250-pound eight-year veteran can line up as a traditional tight end, an off-ball H-back, a fullback, and in the slot. Jonnu Smith’s flexibility allows an offensive coordinator to get creative without having to substitute personnel, which Arthur Smith values.

In acquiring Jonnu Smith, the Steelers now have a complete tight end room that grants Arthur Smith the ability to operate more effective from his favorite groupings. Arthur Smith loves big personnel. The Steelers were fourth in the NFL last season in 12-personnel usage, and first overall from 13-personnel. Their EPA from those groups was low, however, ranking in the bottom third of the league. Now, with the athletic and versatile Smith, one of the better young tight ends in the league in Pat Freiermuth, and the hulking Darnell Washington, Pittsburgh should be considerably better when using multiple tight ends.

FOOTBALL IQ

Jonnu Smith really took off last season in Miami, where he tallied career highs of 88 catches, 884 yards and eight touchdowns. He had good chemistry with Tua Tagovialoa, and excelled in Miami’s quick passing game.

That scheme relied heavily on option routes, where a receiver must recognize the coverage drops of defenders and adjust his route accordingly to find open grass. In my video breakdown of Jonnu Smith, which I’ve linked to at the bottom of this article, you’ll see several examples of Smith doing just that. He is excellent at recognizing coverage and making sight-adjustments to get himself open. He spots up quickly and anticipates throws, and he understands how to use leverage and create space. Some receivers cover themselves by running into defenders as they rotate and drop to their zones. Jonnu Smith is the opposite. His spatial awareness and understanding of route concepts and coverage designs makes him a one-man zone beater.

In short, Smith has an exceptionally high football IQ, which makes him a valuable piece for any offense.

FIT WITH RODGERS

Smith’s high football IQ should make him popular with Aaron Rodgers, who is notorious for demanding his receivers be able to think on the fly. One of the issues Rodgers struggled with as a member of the Jets was the failure or inability of New York’s young receivers to make these types of adjustments. I’m not sure how much freedom Rodgers will be given to audible in Pittsburgh. But I do expect the Steelers to allow him to throw some of the option routes he favors. The team’s eagerness to acquire Jonnu Smith makes sense from that perspective, given how good he is with those concepts.

Rodgers will have growing pains as he learns to work with all of his new receivers in Pittsburgh, particularly the young ones. I’d imagine Jonnu Smith will be a safety blanket for him throughout this process. If he’s unsure whether a younger player like Calvin Austin or Roman Wilson will make a correct read, he’ll be able to rely on Smith. That sort of comfort level could prove invaluable to Rodgers, and to the success of the offense as a whole.

For a video breakdown of what Jonnu Smith brings to Pittsburgh, check out the player below:

Film breakdown of Jonnu Smith ⬇️.

The more I watch him, the more I get why Arthur Smith values him. His football IQ is through the roof, and he has a knack for finding green grass and getting open. Feels like an ideal partner for Aaron Rodgers. #Steelers @FFSNSteelCity pic.twitter.com/aIY7vRPePD

— Kevin Smith (@KTSmithFFSN) July 6, 2025

For more of my work, follow me on X @KTSmithFFSN, and tune in to my “Call Sheet Daily” podcast every Monday-Friday on all major platforms. You can also catch me every Monday on the “Here We Go” Steelers show with Bryan Anthony Davis.