When the Pittsburgh Steelers traded Minkah Fitzpatrick for Jalen Ramsey, it almost felt like the Miami Dolphins threw Jonnu Smith in as a bonus. The 2024 Pro Bowler was coming off the best season of his career, which included 88 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns.
With Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington already in town, we didn't expect Smith to put up similar numbers in Pittsburgh this season. But what we've witnessed has been more than just a little disappointing.
Smith was targeted often early in the season, but that hasn't equated to success. Since Week 8, the veteran tight end has been even less effective—catching just six passes on 12 targets for 46 yards (3.8 yards per target).
If you go all the way back to Week 4, Smith has collected just 98 yards on 25 targets (3.8 yards per target). This also includes just a 78.4 passer rating when Steelers quarterbacks have targeted Smith during this span.
Even if you consider Smith to be the team's third tight end at this point in the season, his efficiency as a pass-catcher proves that he hasn't been worth throwing to. In a straight one-to-one comparison, the Steelers gain more yardage on their average run from the backfield (3.9 yards per carry) than on targeting Smith in the passing game over the past two months.
Jonnu Smith's role with the Pittsburgh Steelers is diminishing fast (and it should)
Though Jonnu Smith has only seen a slight dip in snap counts from his first six games of the season, he's been almost non-existent on the football field. Smith has taken a backseat to both Washington and Freiermuth in the receiving game—so much so that he has just one reception for four yards over his past two games.
Despite handing Smith a one-year $12 million contract after the trade from the Dolphins, the Steelers aren't utilizing the tight end... and perhaps they shouldn't be.
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The remarkable emergence of Darnell Washington has cut into Smith's and Freiermuth's production and snap counts. Washington saw five targets in Week 12 and turned his opportunities into 67 yards—more than Smith has in the past four weeks combined. Washington is easily the blocker of the group, which makes it hard to justify taking him off the field.
While Aaron Rodgers has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, most willing to spread the ball around to his pass-catchers, Smith hasn't reaped the benefits as of late. For his sake, Smith's personal production could actually benefit if the Steelers are forced to play backup quarterback Mason Rudolph, should Rodgers miss time with the wrist injury.
Jonnu Smith is a 30-year-old tight end who's had a good NFL career, but he's fading out fast. Due to his inefficiencies in the receiving game and the emergence of Washington, the Pittsburgh Steelers have no reason to increase his involvement moving forward.