The Miami Dolphins are sitting at an important crossroads. Rumors swirl about a potential Jonnu Smith trade, which may reveal the true direction of this football team.
Trading away Jonnu Smith would weaken the Dolphins offense and would signal more roster turnover.
With HC Mike McDaniel on the hotseat, the likely departure of Jalen Ramsey and Tua Tagovailoa returning from injury, the Dolphins need to find resolution and direction.
If the Dolphins did deal Smith, it could mark the start of a broader shift—possibly towards a full-scale rebuild.
Smith Trade Could Signal Deeper Motive
Jonnu Smith was originally signed by the Dolphins to be more than just a stopgap.
The nine-year veteran signed a two-year deal with the Dolphins just last season and had a remarkable 2024 campaign.
Smith had 88 receptions for 884 yards and 8 touchdowns. All were career highs.
Trading away a player who is coming off a franchise record season would hurt the Dolphins in many ways.
Smith is a versatile piece who can create mismatches and balance an offensive attack that HC Mike McDaniel covets.
Moving on from him now would strip the Dolphins of a flexible, versatile piece.
With the Dolphins looking to get back to their 2023 season form, trading away Smith would leave Tua Tagovailoa with fewer weapons to throw to.
A departure of the prolific tight end would be a disservice to the team and in the direction the Dolphins are desperately trying to bring back.
Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald noted that if a Jonnu Smith trade happened, the Dolphins “might as well be tanking again”.
Kelly’s piece captures the underlying truth.
If you trade away your best players, like Smith, you’re not trying to win now. You’re preparing to rebuild.
Trade Would Echo Probable Ramsey Exit
Not only would a Jonnu Smith trade hurt the Dolphins as a team, it would follow a similar pattern.
A recently signed, veteran player that is playing at a high level is already likely to be heading out of Miami.
If traded, Jonnu Smith would echo the same message that the Dolphins are sending with cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
By letting go of veterans that hold value, the front office would be doing more than just tweaking the roster. It’s shifting the team’s identity.
By trading Smith, the Dolphins wouldn’t be putting all their chips in, they would be pulling them back.
If the Dolphins believe in winning this season under McDaniel, Tua and their young offensive core, they hold onto Smith.
If they don’t, it would not be a shock to see Smith move on before the season starts with a boat-load of questions to follow.
Trading Smith now would not just affect the coming season, it changes the timeline and direction the Dolphins are trying to find.
And while the noise around a possible trade might be brushed off as minor, it carries weight.
A Jonnu Smith departure would have immediate consequences for a Dolphins team looking to rediscover their previous success.
And most importantly, it could end up defining where the Dolphins go next.
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