One of the top tight ends on the market is off the board. The Patriots have agreed to terms on a deal with free agent Jonnu Smith, his agent Drew Rosenhaus told Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
It’s a big one, as Smith is getting a whopping $50MM over four years with $31.25MM guaranteed. What a way for New England to kick off free agency, and it’s one of the biggest investments Bill Belichick has made in a skill position player in years. Tight end was a clear need for the Pats this offseason, as the team got virtually nothing from the position in 2020. Ryan Izzo led the team’s tight ends with 13 catches for 199 yards and no touchdowns. They haven’t really gotten anything out of it since Rob Gronkowski walked away.
A third-round pick of the Titans in 2017, Smith never truly broke out but flashed a lot of potential during his four years in Tennessee. Stuck behind Delanie Walker for his first couple pro seasons, Smith had his best year yet in 2020.
In 15 games and 14 starts, he had 41 catches for 448 yards and an impressive eight touchdowns. He’ll now be catching passes from Cam Newton, or whoever else Belichick brings in under center. If your team is still looking for a tight end don’t worry, solid options like Hunter Henry, Kyle Rudolph, and Jared Cook are still all on the market.
As Doug Kyed of NESN.com was quick to tweet, Belichick lavished Smith in praise a little over a year ago, calling him the best tight end in the league after the catch.
BB is spending! Pats love their TE’s.
That sucks for him. Now he can have Cam bounce pass the ball to him. At least he got paid?
Lol so many dumb comments in March. Like Week 1 is next week.
How is that a dumb comment? Cam’s not just going to magically regain arm strength
I believe his point is that there’s still plenty of time for New England to at least find competition for Newton. Perhaps they draft Jones or sign Fitzpatrick
Somebodies not happy that the empire is crumbling around them… lol
About damn time. Smh.
Remaining wish list. Jimmy G and Golladay
Even if they acquire Garoppolo, you know the dude will miss half the season. One way or another, you’re getting Cam Newton and you will like it!
I was hoping for Kyle Pitts 🙁
He’s going in the top 10 and no one’s gonna let the Pats trade up.
Oh yeah? To who ?
Right now a lot of pundits mock him to the Eagles at 6. It all really depends on how the qbs fall. If you have 3+ qbs in the top 10 then he probably escapes the top 10. I haven’t seen many mocks that have him falling into the pats lap tho.
As a Gators fan, I watched a ton of Pitts play, and if he doesn’t go in the top 10, it’s criminal negligence. He will be unstoppable as long as he stays on the field.
Bills fan here. I don’t like this. Lol
I guess this isn’t the way I expected the Pats to use their salary cap resources. Re-sign Cam and pay Jonnu Smith elite TE money?
I really thought Smith would have stayed in Buffalo and want to compete for the Super Bowl, but maybe the Bills weren’t interested at this price point
Smith was on Titans, not Bills
Maybe he drove through there, and should have stayed. Ever think about that. LOL 🙂
Oops…I had the Bills fan comment on my mind LOL
Mr Bills fan … this signing only comes into play if someone can throw him the ball. No worries , Cam just does 3 step and takes off. This kills Jonnu Smith as far as fantasy value. If he went to say , Bengals, Chargers, Packers … where they have a competent passer it would be good but in the case of Cam , he’s now a Ho hum TE
Keep hating man.
Bengals, Chargers, and Packers? That’s a strange list to use to argue your point.
1 Touchdown…
I Love it.
That neck.
Every spring a team overpays a TE and people think it’s a good move lol