With new head coach Mike McCarthy in place, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of decisions to make this offseason. The biggest is what direction to go in at quarterback. But one Steelers insider implied this week there really is no decision with tight end Jonnu Smith.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac didn’t reference Smith by name in his fan chat Wednesday. But Dulac appeared to suggest Smith will be an easy choice to cut.
“I think they will start with a TE who was brought in this season,” wrote Dulac.
The only other tight end the Steelers “brought in” during 2025 besides Smith was undrafted rookie JJ Galbreath. In all likelihood, Dulac wasn’t referring to him, who the Steelers inked to a futures deal this offseason.
The Steelers acquired Smith in a trade from the Miami Dolphins on June 30. Defensive back Jalen Ramsey also arrived in Pittsburgh through the same trade.
The Steelers used Smith while often taking playing time away from fan favorite Pat Freiermuth during 2025. Smith posted 38 catches for 222 receiving yards, which was his fewest since 2017.
Smith averaged a putrid 5.8 yards per catch.
Why the Steelers Will Part With TE Jonnu Smith
The question where Dulac appeared to answer with Smith was about who the Steelers could trade or release this offseason. Smith, though, doesn’t appear to be a trade candidate.
“Jonnu Smith was the worst TE in the NFL in yards per target, not only this year, but over the last six years,” wrote Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders.
“He was also, per PFF, the third-worst run blocker this season.”
It’s hard to believe any NFL team would be interested in giving something up for the 30-year-old tight end.
Smith has one year remaining on his contract. He will count as a $10.87 million cap hit if he’s on the Steelers roster next season.
The team is very likely to cut him and then move forward with Freiermuth and Darnell Washington as their top two tight ends. The Steelers could also re-sign Connor Heyward for depth.
Releasing Smith would end the possibility of him continuing to take away snaps from Freiermuth. Heyward isn’t as talented, but he’s far more versatile than Smith, which is important as a team’s TE3.
The Steelers will save $7 million against the 2026 salary cap if they release Smith.
Arthur Smith No Longer With Steelers to Advocate for TE Smith
General manager Omar Khan ultimately acquired Smith from the Dolphins. But it wouldn’t be surprising if Khan did that because of the tight end’s relationship with Pittsburgh’s former offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith.
Jonnu Smith has spent six of his nine years in the NFL playing for Arthur Smith in some capacity. After playing for the offensive play-caller with the Tennessee Titans, the tight end was also in Smith’s offense with the Steelers and Atlanta Falcons.
But Arthur Smith departed with the Steelers head coaching change this month. That doesn’t bode well for the tight end’s chances of finishing his contract in Pittsburgh.
Smith played poorly enough that he should have been a cut candidate anyway. But without the coaching staff that potentially brought him to Pittsburgh, he’s an obvious first choice for the Steelers to part with this offseason.
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