Jonnu Smith, the veteran tight end whose NFL journey has taken him from Tennessee to New England and then to Atlanta, truly believed his next stop—Miami—would be his last. After signing with the Dolphins in 2023, Smith felt a sense of stability, a rarity in the ever-changing landscape of professional football. But as the saying goes, the NFL stands for “Not For Long,” and Smith’s time in Miami was cut shorter than he anticipated.
When Jonnu Smith joined the Dolphins, he saw it as an opportunity to finally plant roots. After bouncing around the league, the 28-year-old tight end was eager to contribute to a rising contender. Miami’s high-powered offense, led by head coach Mike McDaniel and star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, seemed like the perfect fit for his skill set. Smith’s versatility as both a blocker and a pass-catcher made him a valuable piece in McDaniel’s system.
“I loved the culture there,” Smith admitted in a recent interview. “The coaches, the players—everyone made me feel like I was part of something special. My family loved it too. We bought a house, my kids were in school, and we really thought this was it.”
For much of the 2023 season, Smith played a key role in Miami’s offensive scheme. While he wasn’t always the primary receiving option, his ability to create mismatches and contribute in the run game helped the Dolphins maintain one of the most explosive offenses in the league. He finished the year with 35 receptions for 385 yards and two touchdowns—solid numbers for a tight end in a crowded offensive attack.
Despite his contributions, the business side of football had other plans. In March 2024, the Dolphins made the surprising decision to release Smith as part of a series of roster moves aimed at salary cap flexibility. The news came as a shock to Smith, who had fully expected to remain with the team.
“It was tough,” Smith confessed. “You give everything to an organization, you buy into the vision, and then—just like that—it’s over. I wasn’t angry, just disappointed. I really thought I’d retire as a Dolphin.”
The suddenness of the move was a harsh reminder of the NFL’s cutthroat nature. Teams often make difficult decisions based on financial constraints rather than loyalty or performance. For Smith, it was another lesson in the transient reality of professional sports.
Fortunately, Smith didn’t stay unemployed for long. Just weeks after his release, the Miami Dolphins’ AFC East rivals, the New York Jets, signed him to a one-year deal. The move reunited Smith with former Titans teammate and good friend, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who had been lobbying for the Jets to add another weapon to their offense.
“Aaron reached out to me almost immediately,” Smith said. “He told me, ‘We’d love to have you here.’ That meant a lot. At the end of the day, this league is about relationships, and having someone like Aaron in your corner makes the transition easier.”
While joining the Jets means Smith will face his former team twice a year, he holds no ill will toward the Dolphins. “It’s all love,” he insisted. “I understand it’s a business. Miami gave me a great opportunity, and I’ll always appreciate that.”
Now with his fourth team in five years, Smith is focused on proving he still has plenty left in the tank. At 28, he’s in the prime of his career and eager to show he can be a difference-maker in New York. The Jets, who have struggled to find consistent production at tight end in recent years, are hoping Smith can provide a reliable target for Rodgers while also bolstering their run game.
“I’m not done yet,” Smith declared. “I’ve got a lot of football left in me. My goal is to help this team win and, who knows, maybe this *will* be my last stop.”
As for Miami, Smith’s departure leaves a void in the tight end room, but the Dolphins are confident in their young talent, including Durham Smythe and newly drafted players. Still, Smith’s presence—both on and off the field—will be missed.
Jonnu Smith’s story is a reminder of how unpredictable the NFL can be. One day, a player can feel like a cornerstone of a franchise; the next, he’s packing his bags for a new city. Yet, through it all, Smith has maintained a professional attitude, refusing to let the uncertainty of the league dim his passion for the game.
“At the end of the day, I’m blessed to still be playing this game,” Smith said. “Not everyone gets this opportunity. So whether it’s Miami, New York, or somewhere else, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.”
And if his journey has taught us anything, it’s that in the NFL, the only constant is change. But for Jonnu Smith, no matter where he plays, his resilience and determination remain unwavering.
