New Steelers Acquisition Has Telling Response To Blockbuster Trade

Most of the attention focused on the Pittsburgh Steelers acquiring Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins, but they attained another Pro Bowler in the process.

The Steelers continued an all-in offseason by landing Ramsey and Jonnu Smith in a blockbuster deal. Smith joins Pittsburgh after registering career highs in catches (88), receiving yards (884), and touchdowns (8) last season.

The star tight end discussed the bombshell trade with former Dolphins offensive tackle Terron Armstead, who retired after the season. Smith told his 2024 teammate why he’s happy about the move.

“You always want to be where you’re most valued and appreciated, and that’s the situation that I found myself in with Pittsburgh,” Smith said on Armstead’s podcast, as transcribed by NFL.com’s Coral Smith. “So I’m excited.”

Although Smith didn’t expect to get moved after a breakout year, the 29-year-old insisted he has no hard feelings toward the Dolphins.

“I didn’t foresee this happening with how the season went for me individually,” Smith said. “Obviously I had aspirations of ending my career in Miami, with it basically being home for me, my children, my family. But I understand the business side of it, and it didn’t work out. I’m grateful. I’ve got no ill feelings toward Miami and nobody in the organization. I can’t sit here and lie and say it didn’t sting when the process was playing itself out.”

Smith later explained that Miami couldn’t pay him what he felt he deserved after a Pro Bowl campaign. The Steelers quickly gave him a one-year, $12 million extension, a substantial raise over the two-year, $8.4 million deal signed in 2024.

“I had to make the decision to say, ‘Man, well I’ve got to go where I am appreciated and viewed on paper, economically, contract-wise as a top guy in this league, which I know I am,'” Smith said. “And Pittsburgh was the team that saw me as that.”

Smith is ultimately overjoyed about his landing spot. He reunites with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, his OC on the Tennessee Titans and head coach with the Atlanta Falcons.

“I’m blessed I’m a Steeler,” Smith said. “I’m playing for one of the most historic sports franchises in the history of sports. And under a great head coach in Mike (Tomlin) and back with my guy Arthur Smith, who I’ve had a lot of success with throughout my career. So I’m extremely blessed, bro. I couldn’t be more excited.”

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