Former Miami Dolphins tight finish Jonnu Smith revealed his perspective on the contract scenario that went awry with the workforce, finally resulting in this week’s commerce to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
First, Smith expressed that he cherishes how the Steelers got here ahead as a workforce keen to deal for him and practically tripled his wage for 2025 after the Dolphins didn’t pony up the additional money.
“I’m in a scenario the place I’m appreciated,” Smith mentioned on retired Dolphins deal with Terron Armstead’s podcast late Wednesday evening. “You all the time need to be the place you’re most valued and appreciated, and that’s the scenario that I discovered myself in with Pittsburgh.”
Then, Smith unveiled his disappointment with the way it resulted in Miami.
“I didn’t foresee this occurring with how the season went for me individually,” he mentioned. “I had aspirations of ending my profession in Miami, with it being dwelling for me, my youngsters, my household. However I perceive the enterprise facet of it, and it didn’t work out. I’m grateful. I’ve received no in poor health emotions towards Miami and no person within the group.”
Smith added that it did sting to see the method play out the best way it did after his stellar, record-breaking 2024 season with the Dolphins. He set franchise data for a decent finish with 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns final season.
Smith revealed he got here to consider Dolphins brass would come round to present him a brand new contract after the breakout marketing campaign and, early within the offseason, was within the course of of shopping for a much bigger South Florida dwelling.
“We began this dialog in January with Miami and, clearly, giving me the run-around, ‘We’ll wager again to it,’ ” Smith began. “Clearly, they’d some issues they needed to handle, and I perceive that. I used to be affected person with them all through the entire whole course of, and ultimately it got here to a degree in time the place they advised me that they only can’t do it and so they weren’t economically ready to pay me like a Professional Bowl tight finish.”
Past his offensive manufacturing, Smith felt he was a high-character participant who might’ve been a pacesetter on a workforce that had locker room points in 2024 and is seeking to alter the tradition.
Smith additionally mentioned he was grateful the Dolphins have been additionally keen to commerce him to discover a workforce that was keen to extend his wage as a substitute of holding him to his $4.64 million cap hit he was due in Miami for 2025.
Smith added he has been in communication with cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who was additionally traded to the Steelers because the Dolphins received security Minkah Fitzpatrick in return.
The tight finish mentioned he and Ramsey are on the identical web page in appreciating the tradition with the Steelers below coach Mike Tomlin.
Armstead made the purpose that it was a win for the Dolphins to internet Fitzpatrick within the deal whereas buying and selling two gamers who weren’t going to play for the workforce anyway.
After buying and selling Smith, the Dolphins introduced former Raiders and Giants tight finish Darren Waller out of retirement in a next-day commerce with New York on Tuesday.
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