Patriots Weigh Pros and Cons of Taking a Flyer on Jonnu Smith

For New England Patriots fans, he has the splashy name, one that casual fans recognize and diehards dissect under the microscope. The Patriots hunger for tight end depth right now, and veteran Jonnu Smith is a free agent. Should Mike Vrabel and Co. kick the tires on the 30-year-old Smith, a veteran ...

by Hector Longo

Jul 1, 2026

For New England Patriots fans, he has the splashy name, one that casual fans recognize and diehards dissect under the microscope.

The Patriots hunger for tight end depth right now, and veteran Jonnu Smith is a free agent.

Should Mike Vrabel and Co. kick the tires on the 30-year-old Smith, a veteran of nine National Football League seasons?

In 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, tight end Jonnu Smith (9) earned a trip to the Pro Bowl with 88 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. Here, he scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of their game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.

Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Smith has been a bit of a mystery throughout a career that has included stops in Tennessee, where he was drafted in the third round, New England for two years, and single seasons in Atlanta, Miami and Pittsburgh.

Steelers moved on after a year

The emergence of Darnell Washington, the consistency of Pat Freiermuth and the ability to save $7 million on the salary cap made him expendable in Pittsburgh, just one season removed from his lone Pro Bowl campaign with the Dolphins in 2024.

Vrabel and his staff are familiar with Smith, having had three solid seasons (2018-2020) together in Tennessee. So is offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who ran things in New England back in 2021 – Smith’s first year as a Patriot.

Why should the Patriots sign him?

Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith (81) warms up before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

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The pros of bringing Smith back to Gillette Stadium are pretty straight forward.

He’ll be a cheap option in adding depth. Smith, who turns 31 in August, has conjured up little interest since being released on March 5.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder out of Florida International has banked well over $50 million in his career, so he’s not ravenous for a big money deal. Signing him can’t take much more than the veteran minimum.

His familiarity with Vrabel and McDaniels would make the transition an easy one.

And finally, probably most important, Smith is a character guy. His lack of production caused a bit of scrutiny in New England. Through both seasons – with just 55 catches total – he was a standup guy, always facing the music.

Why shouldn't they?

There are cons, though, ones that Patriots can’t ignore.

He draws a pass for 2022 in Foxborough, playing in a dysfunctional offense led by a defensive coach (Matt Patricia) and a special teams specialist (Joe Judge).

However, there are few excuses for just 28 catches and one TD in 2021 with McDaniels running the show. He had a Pro Bowl QB throwing (rookie Mac Jones), yet the Patriots could not find a way to utilize him best.

Remember, this is a guy who caught 88 balls for 884 yards and eight TDs in 2024 with Tua Tagovailoa and Snoop Huntley doing the bulk of the quarterbacking.