Dolphins HC McDaniel Backs Jonnu Smith as Contract Talks Loom

‘Jonnu is a very important player [and] person, to me and to the guys,’ McDaniel told media.

Jonnu Smith #9 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Nov. 24, 2024. Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel wants to keep tight end Jonnu Smith on the team.

Smith bounced around the league for several years before having a career year with the Dolphins in 2024. Now, the veteran tight end is looking for a long-term extension. At a press conference at OTA’s practice on Tuesday, McDaniel refrained from interfering on the business side of the game but stressed his value to the team.

“Jonnu is a very important player [and] person, to me and to the guys,” McDaniel said. “I think one thing that we can stand on is his professionalism and how he goes about his business. There’s times that business can play a part, for sure, and [another] team can make it as complicated as they would like, if they have a lot of time to focus on what’s going on with Jonnu. I would encourage them to focus on their own game.”

McDaniel noted that Smith, who is still under contract through the 2025 season, has been around the facility recently, but deflected questions about his status with the team.

“I try not to—specifically in this day and age—I think the relationship and the privacy of people’s business is important to me, and when dudes have social media, if they wanted you guys to know, they would holler at you,” he said.

Born in Philadelphia, Smith moved to Florida at a young age. He played high school football at West Port High School in Ocala, then played his college ball at Florida International.

Smith was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He played his first three seasons in a backup role behind veteran Delanie Walker. Smith finally broke out in 2020, catching 41 passes for 448 yards and eight touchdowns. He also added two carries for four yards and a touchdown.

Smith signed a four-year deal with the New England Patriots in 2021 but was never really a factor for the Patriots. He was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2023. Smith caught 50 passes for 582 yards and three TDs, but was cut by the Falcons in 2024.

He signed with the Dolphins in 2024 and had a career year. He caught 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns, all career highs, and was named to his first Pro Bowl.

Smith’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed that Smith wants to stay in Miami.

“Here’s what I will say on behalf of my client: Jonnu would definitely like to stay in Miami,” Rosenhaus told local news station WSVN-7.

“That’s his first choice. This is where he lives in the off-season. 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. His dream team is the Dolphins. Hopefully, everything works out where he can stay in Miami.”

But Smith is seeking a long-term extension, which poses a serious financial problem for the Fins. According to Spotrac, Miami is 27th in the league in remaining salary cap, with just $14 million in Top-51 cap space remaining. The tight end market has also been reset twice in this offseason: the Arizona Cardinals signed Trey McBride to a 4-year, $76 million deal, while the San Francisco 49ers signed George Kittle to a 4-year, $76.4 million deal.

After the best season of his career, Smith’s price could be too steep for the Dolphins to pay. The Dolphins have put cornerback Jalen Ramsey on the trading block, which could free up some room for an extension, but no offers have emerged.

Pittsburgh Steelers Potential

The Pittsburgh Steelers have emerged as a top contender to land Smith in a potential trade scenario. Smith has a long history with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith; he was the Titans’ tight ends coach from 2016 to 2018 and their offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2020. He served as the head coach of the Falcons when Jonnu Smith was traded there in 2023.

McDaniel said he has not thought about any such scenario.

“My hope ... I haven’t really considered anything other than I want Jonnu on the team,” he said.

“I think he wants to be here. My experience with business is, you let that play out, and in that time, Jonnu is depending on me to focus on the players that I have the ability to coach and influence. So that’s where I’m at.”