The Pittsburgh Steelers do not yet have their quarterback situation for the 2025 season figured out, but that is not stopping them from reportedly kicking the tires on adding other positions. According to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday afternoon, the Steelers and Miami Dolphins have recently engaged in trade talks regarding 2024 Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith.
Smith is on the trade block after he asked for a new contract.
It's an interesting name to see connected with the Steelers.
For one, they already have a pretty deep tight end room with Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward on the roster.
Freiermuth is making big money and is one of their most reliable pass-catching options, while Washington has really emerged as a fierce run-blocker with improving pass-catching skills.
The Steelers do have a big-time need for more impact players in the passing game, but the expectation was that their focus would be on adding somebody who could slide into the No. 2 wide receiver role after trading George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Another tight end, even one as good and talented as Smith, would seem to be a little redundant given their needs.
But Smith is a longtime favorite of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith who coached Smith in both Tennessee as an offensive coordinator and as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
Smith caught a career-high 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns with the Dolphins during the 2024 season.
If they were able to acquire Smith, there would still be a big question as to who would pass him the football. Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and rookie sixth-round pick Will Howard are the only quarterbacks on the roster, while the team is still playing the waiting game on free agent Aaron Rodgers.
