The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired tight end Jonnu Smith from the Miami Dolphins on Monday. While it wasn’t unexpected, as trade rumors linked Smith to the Steelers throughout June, it does overload the Pittsburgh roster with a lot of tight ends.
But Smith might not only play tight end in Pittsburgh.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly reported Monday the team plans to use Smith in multiple roles on offense in 2025.
“What I have been told is the Steelers’ view Jonnu Smith as a TE, a slot WR, and a fullback — they will use him in a very hybrid way in Arthur Smith’s offense,” posted Kaboly on X.
Smith is coming off the best season of his NFL career. In his only year with the Dolphins, Smith posted 88 catches for 884 receiving yards and eight touchdowns during 2024.
The veteran tight end also has a lot of experience in Arthur Smith’s offense. The Steelers offensive coordinator coached the tight end for four seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Arthur Smith was also Jonnu Smith’s head coach during 2023 with the Atlanta Falcons.
Jonnu Smith to Fulfill Variety of Roles on Steelers Offense
The Steelers lost veteran tight end Donald Parham Jr. to a season-ending Achilles injury during offseason workouts. First and foremost, Smith will replace Parham on the tight end depth chart.
But Parham was expected to be a depth tight end on Pittsburgh’s offense. Smith could compete with Steelers No. 1 tight end Pat Freiermuth for the most snaps at the position in Pittsburgh.
Smith and Freiermuth, though, won’t have to compete much if Smith is going to play a lot of different positions.
The Steelers offensive coordinator deploys multiple tight-end sets just about as much as anybody in the league. So, Smith and Freiermuth will have a lot of opportunities to play together.
According to Kaboly, Smith will get on the field lining up in the slot and backfield too.
Smith’s Pro Bowl season occurred when he wasn’t playing in Arthur Smith’s offense. Smith actually played more snaps in Tennessee with Arthur Smith as his play caller and never had the statistical impact he made in Miami last year.
But Smith’s breakout statistical season arguably came in 2023 with the Falcons. In Atlanta, the tight end had 50 catches, 582 receiving yards and three touchdowns while cutting into playing time for fellow tight end and former No. 4 overall pick Kyle Pitts.
Smith could help support a Steelers receiving corps that has DK Metcalf at the top of the depth chart but questions behind him. Calvin Austin III and Robert Woods are the top two candidates to start opposite Metcalf.
Austin and 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson could play in the slot too along with Smith.
Jalen Ramsey’s Expected Role With Steelers
Along with Smith, the Steelers acquired former All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Dolphins on Monday. In addition to Smith’s role, Kaboly reported how Pittsburgh plans to utilize Ramsey.
“They see Jalen Ramsey as an outside cornerback, slot cornerback, and he can take some snaps at safety,” tweeted Kaboly.
The Steelers added Darius Slay in free agency this offseason to start opposite Joey Porter Jr. at cornerback. They also have Beanie Bishop Jr. on the roster to play nickel cornerback.
Ramsey offers a potential upgrade over both Slay and Bishop. But at safety, the Steelers now have a hole since they traded Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Dolphins to acquire Ramsey.
With Ramsey playing three different spots, though, like Smith on offense, the Steelers could upgrade cornerback and minimize the loss at safety.
The Steelers also have two potential starting safeties remaining on the roster. This offseason, Pittsburgh inked veteran DeShon Elliott to a contract extension and added Juan Thornhill on a one-year deal.
