For the Pittsburgh Steelers, an underrated part of the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade was getting TE Jonnu Smith from the Miami Dolphins. Smith, an eight-year veteran coming off his best season to date, gives the Steelers another threat in the passing game. For Smith, he joins a franchise that consistently makes the playoffs, with a legendary head coach and quarterback.
“You know the old saying ‘The stars are aligned,'” said Smith on the Zach Smackz Show. “I said this earlier, what more can I ask for? As a football head, as a football junkie, I’m in the best possible situation that any football junkie would want to be. I’m in a winning organization, Hall of Fame quarterback [Rodgers], Hall of Fame coach with Mike T. [Tomlin], all types of ballers on both sides of the ball.”
The Steelers hope Smith can help them win a playoff game for the first time since the 2016 season. After Pittsburgh traded WR George Pickens, they were sorely missing playmakers. Smith is believed to be able to fill the void.
Last season, Smith tallied 88 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. Although last season was a career best for Smith, he also has had strong seasons working with Steelers’ offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Jonnu Smith played under Smith from 2017-2020 in Tennessee. Then, Jonnu Smith teamed up with Arthur Smith again in 2023 when Smith was head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. In 2023, Jonnu Smith had 50 receptions for 582 yards and three touchdowns despite horrid quarterback play in Atlanta.
While Jonnu Smith is likely excited to work with his longtime coach again, what he is really excited for is to play for head coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin is a coach many players, including QB Aaron Rodgers, want to play for. Smith now gets that opportunity.
One reason playing for Tomlin and the Steelers is so exciting is that they’re often in the playoffs. Smith hasn’t played in the postseason since 2021, but Tomlin and the Steelers have made the playoffs twice since then.
Although Smith is a Florida boy and was hoping to retire with the Dolphins, he is a Steeler now and very excited about it, hoping to win a Lombardi Trophy.
“I couldn’t be more ecstatic for this opportunity to be a Steeler at this time of my career, and help trail-blaze this organization to a championship,” said Smith.
It has been 16 years since the Steelers last won a Super Bowl. Some years, it was because of a weak defense, other years because of a bad offense, and sometimes, the team was just not good enough. Who knows what this year will bring, but the Steelers certainly are trying. The additions of Jonnu Smith, DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, and Aaron Rodgers all symbolize that effort. Only time will tell if the stars truly are aligned.
