After posting career-best numbers with 88 catches for 884 yards and 8 touchdowns, Jonnu Smith found himself traded from the Miami Dolphins to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a deal that shocked the NFL world. The tight end had every reason to believe he’d secured his future in South Florida, even purchasing a home there in anticipation of a long-term extension.
## Contract Talks Turn Sour
What started as promising negotiations quickly deteriorated. Smith revealed that discussions “moved south” when Miami indicated they couldn’t meet his financial expectations despite his breakout season. The Dolphins’ inability to reward their productive tight end created an unexpected rift that ultimately led to his departure.
## Finding Appreciation in Pittsburgh
On “The Terron Armstead Podcast,” Smith expressed his disappointment but emphasized that Pittsburgh represents “where I’m appreciated.” This stark contrast highlights how undervalued he felt during Miami’s contract negotiations, despite delivering his most productive NFL season.
## Miami’s Quick Replacement
The Dolphins wasted little time addressing the void, acquiring tight end Darren Waller from the New York Giants shortly after trading Smith. This move suggests Miami had already planned their transition away from the record-setting tight end.
The trade raises questions about how teams value proven production versus salary cap flexibility in today’s NFL landscape.
