Part of the Jalen Ramsey–Minkah Fitzpatrick blockbuster will see the Dolphins and Steelers agree to another swap. Tight end Jonnu Smith is headed to Pittsburgh.
With the dust having settled on all portions of this singular trade (which is now official), here are the full details (courtesy of NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport):
Steelers receive:
- Ramsey
- Smith
- 2027 seventh-round pick
Dolphins receive:
- Fitzpatrick
- 2027 fifth-round pick
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Smith will receive a one-year, $12MM extension upon arrival in Pittsburgh, allowing him to earn a raise as hoped. Finances were a sticking point between he and the Dolphins. Smith preferred to remain in Miami, but after enjoying a career year and setting a new franchise record for tight end production he aimed to parlay his play into a new pact. 
On more than one occasion, the Steelers emerged as a potential landing spot for Smith in the event no new Dolphins pact could be worked out. Talks on a Miami extension took place, but the 29-year-old’s absence from minicamp was a sign this situation could end in a change of scenery. After only one year with the Dolphins, Smith is indeed on the move once again. Of course, today’s news means he is in store for another reunion with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Jonnu and Arthur Smith worked together with the Titans and again when they were alongside each other with the Falcons. The latter took on OC duties in Pittsburgh last season, overseeing an offense which used both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at quarterback. QB1 duties are now held by Aaron Rodgers, who will likely retire after this season. The Steelers are certainly not being shy in terms of notable moves on both sides of the ball in preparation for the coming campaign.
Pittsburgh already has Pat Freiermuth in place at the tight end spot. The former second-rounder is under contract through 2028, something which made a potential Smith move a somewhat awkward one. Now that it is in place, though, the Steelers can be expected to lean heavily on two-tight end sets. With uncertainly looming over the team’s WR options aside from D.K. Metcalf, Smith will give Pittsburgh a veteran pass-catching option.
The former third-rounder posted a statline of 88-884-8 last season, leading to his first career Pro Bowl nod. Expectations will be high for Smith with his fifth NFL team given his production and the fact he will be in a familiar scheme. For the Dolphins, meanwhile, Ramsey’s departure has created a notable vacancy at the CB position; the loss of Smith will likewise leave the team short on experienced tight ends.
The 2025 offseason has seen a major exodus in terms of veterans in Miami, by means of free agent departures, releases and trades. As the Dolphins look to bounce back from last year’s underwhelming campaign, they will do so with a slew of new faces on both sides of the ball. Smith is now under contract for the next two years. He will look to operate as a complementary option for Rodgers and Co. as Pittsburgh takes a run at a Super Bowl in 2025.
Should have traded Hill before dealing Jonnu. But Dolphins gonna Dolphin. The whole Hill Waddle let’s be faster than
everyone hasn’t really worked out as hoped.
A big part of that is the lack of availability of their preferred QB. Even when Tua is on the field, his connections and the resulting yardage are no where near expectations.
Wonder if there’s another tight end trade coming with Pittsburgh. I know Jonnu isn’t a straight up traditional inline tight end, but that still seems like a crowded depth chart now.
If I’m Muth, I’d be asking a lot of questions and getting ready to pack
agreed
Yeah, they’re loaded at tight end now unless the idea is split Jonnu out more. I’d have thought they were gonna bring Washington along to be more than a blocker. Still, Pickens’ season last year emphasized the need for a big number two wideout option
Thinking about this, I’d certainly think Smith is going to be out wide. Playing it out further, there will be a RB (Warren or Johnson), Metcalf, I’d guess a lot of 2 TE in Smith and Muth. Last spot for Woods/Austin/Wilson? Or go crazy and use Washington as a 3rd TE/6th OL.
I know this sounds crazy, but I wonder if Washington can get some reps at fullback. He can block and maybe run some routes out of the backfield.
Atlanta – Pitts ?
nope. they love their current TE vas well. They will be running 2 TE sets all day and night
Maybe they’ll trade for another TE. Pioneer a base 3 TE 1 WR package. Solves their WR problem and fits Smith’s system perfectly!
Jet-killer Jonnu Smith traded to the team that faces the Jets in Week 1.
Such synchronicity!
Teams usually expect the Jets to shoot themselves in the foot…so they really don’t need to acquire Jet killers 🙂
Wow the Steelers are making moves today!
Going all in for Rodgers without sacrificing long term financial flexibility. Smart.
Well give the Steelers credit, they are doing the same thing that the Jets did, go for the SB for one year, so when do the Steelers go and get WR’s Lazardo, Randal Cobb, all of Rodgers old WR’s. This is just the season of Rodgers, and not really the Steelers. Even with this trade for Ramey and Smith, it still does not put the Steelers ahead of KC, Balt, Buff in the AFC. Still say these three teams are the cream of the AFC to represent in the SB.
If the Steelers have a good answer to this one question, then this (these?) was a really good trade…
Who replaces Minkah?
2 Pro Bowlers for 1 Pro Bowler is cool, but the hole they left at safety is bigger than either of the holes they filled at CB or TE.
If they have a plan to replace Minkah with a solid player, then it’s a home run trade.
Liable to see Ramsey at safety some this year.
Justin Simmons?
Beast, Minkah allowed over a 100 passer rating on balls his way last year and hasn’t done much except tackle guys he let’s catch the ball in coverage.
If you get minkah 3 years ago this deal is awful, but minkah has had 2 sub par seasons trading on last performance.
Oh snap
Also like the trade for Miami.
Got a great player instead of a couple mid round draft picks from different teams.
Anyone know why would pittsburgh trade Minkah Fitzpatrick?
The only real benefit is getting out of the last 2 years of his contract, which were getting pricey. But not much else.
That said, it does take something to get something
While Minkah was a very good player, the last two seasons he has not played well. Elliot played better at S for Pittsburgh than Minkah did last year. PFF backs this up too. I like the trade for Pittsburgh. They still need another good wideout. The Tahj Boyd idea sounded interesting to me.
really hoping Dolphins go and trade for Pitts in ATL . he would be great in Miami