Jonnu Smith's Agent Responds to Steelers Rumors
Jonnu Smith's Agent Responds to Steelers Rumors originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are searching for answers in the weeks after trading receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. With a handful of veteran free agents available at receiver, there are plenty of options to comb through.
Advertisement
However, the Steelers have also gotten creative. The team reportedly investigated diving deeper into 12 personnel by checking in on Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith.
Instead, Pittsburgh is pivoting to hosting Gabe Davis on a visit (per Adam Schefter) and is a safe bet to keep exploring buy-low receivers.
On WSVN-7, Smith's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, responded to the potential Steelers interest.
"Here's what I will say on behalf of my client: Jonnu would definitely like to stay in Miami," Rosenhaus said, via the Miami Herald. "That's his first choice. This is where he lives in the offseason. He had a record-breaking season last year. It was the best season ever for a Miami Dolphin tight end. ... He broke the team record for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns for a tight end and was the team's single Pro Bowl player. He's an incredibly valuable part of this team. ... He went to college at FIU.'
Advertisement
It's worth considering what Smith or a similar addition would do for Pittsburgh's offense. Pivoting to 12 personnel lessens the load on a weak receiving corps, especially if Calvin Austin III proves to be capable of playing on the boundary despite his size.
Starting tight end Pat Freiermuth is a viable starter, and Smith has long been the apple of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's eye. The former is versatile enough to play in-line and in the slot, and Smith's ability to make plays over the middle of the field and after the catch mimics a receiver's impact. With Darnell Washington adding an imposing blocking presence to the line, the Steelers could remain multi-faceted, even with heavier personnel on the field.
Last season, Smith had the best season of his career, hauling in 88 catches for 884 yards and eight scores. With lesser quarterback play and opportunities, he'd be in line to take a step back with the Steelers. In either event, a trade doesn't seem likely, and Miami is a far better fit for Smith than virtually anyone else.
'His dream team is the Dolphins. Hopefully, everything works out where he can stay in Miami."
Related: Steelers Linked to Ex $50M Tight End
Related: Steelers Host Veteran Free Agent Wide Receiver
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cowboys Biggest Camp 'Storyline' An Easy One To Predict
Cowboys Biggest Camp 'Storyline' An Easy One To Predict originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The offseason for the Dallas Cowboys has been dominated by the contract situation of pass-rushing linebacker Micah Parsons. Advertisement While a new deal has been discussed and per reporting maybe valued at more than $40 million APY and thought to last around five years, so far, there have been no substantial developments between Micah and the Cowboys regarding the finalization of an extension. Yes, ideas have been pitched back and forth, but the longer it goes without getting done, the more fans shift nervously and angrily in their seats. Training camp looms as a "real" deadline in negotiations for Micah and Dallas, with Parsons stating that it is crucial for him to have a deal in place by the time he arrives in Oxnard. Given the magnitude of the deal and the player, it is no surprise that CBS Sports has named getting Micah's contract done the biggest training camp storyline. Advertisement "There's a case to be made that Parsons, who just turned 26 years old on May 26, is the best pass rusher in football," CBS Sports writes. "However, a potential training camp holdout could be looming if a deal isn't done before the Cowboys head to Oxnard, California for training camp." Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11).Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images With the contracts of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb dragging through training camp last offseason, Parsons won't want to suffer a similar fate. So far, Parsons has been in and out of OTAs, and being voluntary, there's nothing wrong with that, although in an ideal world, he would attend. Mandatory mini camp is just around the corner - another "deadline'' on June 10 - and Micah is expected to attend, but in what capacity is unknown. Advertisement Dallas has had a solid offseason in Brian Schottenheimer's first go-around as head coach. The missing piece? A Parsons contract extension to let out all of the unnecessary tension. "Deadlines make deals," owner Jerry Jones once famously said to our Cowboys insider Mike Fisher, and we are quickly approaching the biggest deadline in Parsons' contract talks. Will that finally end this storyline? Related: Cowboys Trade For Joe Milton Works Because Jerry Jones is 'Cheap' Related: Future Hall Of Famer Blasts Cowboys 'Worst' Offseason This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
33 minutes ago
- USA Today
Texans All-Pro CB Derek Stingley Jr. ranked inside the top-32 by PFF
Texans All-Pro CB Derek Stingley Jr. ranked inside the top-32 by PFF Derek Stingley Jr. proved that his rise in 2023 was just the beginning. Last season, the former No. 3 overall pick proved he was an elite shutdown defender who might be considered among the best players in the league for the 2025 season as the Houston Texans look to compete for a spot in the AFC Championship game. Coming off an All-Pro season, Stingley totaled five interceptions (tied for sixth most), 18 pass breakups (second most) and allowed the second-lowest completion percentage among cornerbacks with at least 200 coverage snaps (46.7%), according to NFL Next Gen Stats in 2024. That led to a new three-year, $90 million extension this offseason, making Stingley the highest-paid cornerback in the league with an annual $30 million salary. But while Stingley might have the respect from the Texans, is he the No. 1 cornerback entering 2025 based on projections? Not according to Pro Football Focus, which listed him as the No. 5 defensive back behind New York's Sauce Gardner, Denver's Pat Surtain II, Kansas City's Trent McDuffie and Chicago's Jaylon Johnson. "After a poor rookie season, Stingley has generated a 90.3 PFF coverage grade over the past two seasons — the best mark among all cornerbacks," John Koso wrote. "The 2022 No. 3 overall pick plays a high-risk, high-reward brand of football and threads that needle well, as his 12 interceptions across the past two years lead the league." Even after a down rookie season, Stingley made up for the lack of production with two Pro Bowl-caliber seasons. Fully healthy, he's been the definition of consistent when asked to line up in man coverage and an enforcer in one-on-one battles against top receivers. The highest-paid defensive back should begin the season as the top name opposite Kamari Lassiter in the AFC. In time with another dominant campaign, he should land no lower than No. 2 and compete with Surtain for Defensive Player of the Year accolades for the long haul. The Texans open the season against Davante Adams and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 7.
USA Today
44 minutes ago
- USA Today
Commanders' handling of Terry McLaurin offers a contrast in how NFC East rivals operate
Commanders' handling of Terry McLaurin offers a contrast in how NFC East rivals operate According to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, Commanders WR Terry McLaurin exited a recent workout after growing frustrated with the team over the lack of progress on a long-term contract extension Terry McLaurin has been one of the best wide receivers in the NFL since being selected by Washington in the third round out of Ohio State. McLaurin has one year left on his contract, and he's looking for an extension after watching the team acquire Deebo Samuel and his $23,850,000 average salary from the San Francisco 49ers in an off-season trade. The veteran is the 16th highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. With just $2,800,000 of his 2025 salary guaranteed, McLaurin recently exited a voluntary workout in frustration over the lack of movement on a new deal. McLaurin made his second Pro Bowl in 2024 after catching 82 passes for 1,096 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns. Even more remarkably, the 29-year-old has recorded at least 1,002 receiving yards in five consecutive seasons, and he hasn't missed a game since 2020. In contrast to how Philadelphia and GM Howie Roseman do business, A.J. Brown has signed two extensions since being traded to Philadelphia, and DeVonta Smith is in the top 12 in wide receiver salary.
