The Steelers are releasing tight end Jonnu Smith, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday.
Smith joined the Steelers as part of the Minkah Fitzpatrick/Jalen Ramsey trade with the Dolphins ahead of the 2025 season, coming off his first career Pro Bowl in 2024.
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On the Steelers, Smith reunited with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who coached him during the former’s stops with the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons. However, Jonnu Smith struggled to find a productive role on the Pittsburgh offense, finishing the year with 38 catches for just 222 yards and two receiving touchdowns. He added 70 more yards and another touchdown as a rusher.
Ahead of the new season, the Steelers’ new coaching regime, led by head coach Mike McCarthy and a new offensive coordinator in Brian Angelichio, opted to move on. Smith was entering the last year of his contract and is expected to save the Steelers around $7 million in cap space in 2026.
Smith, 30, will now join the 2026 free agent class before the legal tampering period opens March 9. Of the Steelers’ 2025 tight end room, Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington remain under contract. Connor Heyward is currently scheduled to hit free agency in the new league year.
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