Steelers Trade Rumors: Dolphins Deal Could Reunite Arthur Smith With Pro Bowl TE

The Miami Dolphins are entertaining offers for their lone Pro Bowl selection last season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Tight end Jonnu Smith is reportedly seeking to rework his contract, and though his preference is to stay in Miami, the front office doesn’t appear ready to give him a new deal. 

Last season, Smith signed a two-year deal but the nine-year veteran is slated to make only $4.8 million in 2025. Smith was not present for Miami’s voluntary OTA practices this week, furthering speculation that the two sides will part ways before the start of training camp.

Steelers Trade Would Reunite Smith With Former HC Arthur Smith

Smith has been productive throughout his NFL career, despite serving as the No. 2 tight end at several stops. 

He began his career in Tennessee, where he scored 16 touchdowns in his first four seasons. After a disappointing stint in New England with the Patriots, he landed with the Atlanta Falcons, where he posted a then-career-best 582 receiving yards while playing behind former No. 4 pick Kyle Pitts.

Despite entering his age-30 season, Smith is fresh off of arguably his best year in the NFL. In his first year in Miami, he set franchise records for targets (111), receptions (88) and receiving yards (884) by a tight end and finished with eight touchdowns, tying a career-high.

Current Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith was Jonnu Smith’s tight ends coach and offensive coordinator in Tennessee. Arthur Smith also traded for Jonnu when he was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, so the two have a lot of familiarity with one another. 

Could The Steelers Send Freiermuth To Miami In The Deal?

If the Steelers do acquire Smith from Miami, it might make sense to include one of their own tight ends in the deal. Miami doesn’t have a lot of depth at tight end, so it makes sense that the Dolphins might ask for a player in return.

The Steelers enter training camp with an already crowded tight end room that includes free agent g Donald Parham Jr. 

Pat Freiermuth struggled with drops last season but is also coming off of a career year under Arthur Smith. The 26-year-old finished with 653 yards and seven touchdowns, both career-highs and has scored 18 touchdowns in his first four NFL seasons combined.

Meanwhile, former Georgia tight end and third-round pick Darnell Washington has yet to emerge as more than a blocker. He has just 261 career receiving yards and one touchdown over his first two seasons.

Of the three, Freiermuth would most certainly command the most value and could even net the Steelers an additional draft pick in the trade. Last season, the former Penn State tight end signed a four-year $48 million contract extension. 

Though Miami was reluctant to pay a at the position for Smith, they might be open to taking on a modest salary for a player who is essentially four years younger.