NFL Tight End Market Heats Up as Jonnu Smith Emerges as Prime Target
The NFL offseason continues to generate significant buzz around team needs and potential acquisitions, with the tight end position taking center stage in recent analyst discussions. Multiple reports from prominent sports outlets highlight a common theme: several teams are seeking to bolster their receiving threats at tight end, and one name consistently surfaces as a potential solution.
Analysts Identify Key TE Needs Across Multiple Franchises
According to A to Z Sports analyst AJ Schulte, the New England Patriots face a concerning lack of depth behind their longtime tight end Hunter Henry. The Patriots' tight end room appears thin beyond their established veteran, creating a potential vulnerability in their offensive scheme.
Meanwhile, CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo reports that the Philadelphia Eagles face uncertainty with their top three tight ends—Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, and Kylen Granson—all entering free agency. This situation creates significant questions about the Eagles' passing game infrastructure for the upcoming season.
YardBarker's Thomas Martinez adds another team to the conversation, noting that despite having former Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar and second-year player Oronde Gadsden II, the Los Angeles Chargers could benefit from adding a well-rounded veteran to their tight end group.
Jonnu Smith: The Common Denominator in TE Solutions
All these analysts converge on a single potential solution: recently released Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith. The veteran player could theoretically fill the tight end spot for any of these teams seeking additional receiving threats. However, there's an important caveat—the tight end situations for these franchises have evolved significantly since initial predictions were made, particularly in the days leading up to the new league year.
Boston.com's Colin McCarthy provides specific insight into the Patriots' situation, noting that New England may not urgently require a tight end following the re-signing of Hunter Henry and the addition of Julian Hill from the Miami Dolphins. However, if the Patriots do decide to add another player to their tight end room, McCarthy suggests it wouldn't be a big-name acquisition like Cleveland Browns star David Njoku, but rather someone familiar to the organization.
This is where Jonnu Smith's history becomes particularly relevant. Smith originally joined the Patriots alongside Hunter Henry in 2021, playing two seasons for New England before his release. His professional journey began when he was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2017, where he played until 2020 under the guidance of then-Titans coach Mike Vrabel—who now serves as head coach of the Patriots.
During his tenure with Tennessee, Smith demonstrated his capabilities as a receiving threat, recording 114 receptions for 1,302 yards and 13 touchdowns across 60 regular-season games. His final year with the Titans proved particularly productive, as he accumulated career highs with eight receiving touchdowns alongside 41 receptions for 448 receiving yards.
Philadelphia's Evolving Tight End Landscape
The Philadelphia Eagles' tight end situation has undergone substantial changes since initial reports. Dallas Goedert has been re-signed to a one-year contract worth $7 million, including a $4.25 million signing bonus. Grant Calcaterra also secured a one-year deal following the completion of his four-year rookie contract valued at $3.83 million.
Meanwhile, Kylen Granson has departed for the Tennessee Titans on a one-year agreement, and the Eagles have added Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Johnny Mundt on a one-year contract. Despite these moves creating a seemingly full tight end room, analyst Bryan DeArdo maintains that Jonnu Smith would represent a welcome addition for quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Eagles' offensive scheme.
Los Angeles Chargers Connection Through Mike McDaniel
Jonnu Smith's potential fit with the Los Angeles Chargers becomes particularly intriguing due to his shared history with new Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. McDaniel previously served as head coach for the Miami Dolphins during the 2022 season when Smith played for Miami.
During that single season with the Dolphins, the one-time Pro Bowler achieved career-best numbers with 88 receptions for 884 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns. Reuniting with his former coach could potentially help Smith build chemistry with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, with DeArdo reporting that the veteran tight end would likely embrace the opportunity to catch passes from the talented young quarterback.
Smith's veteran presence would also complement 2025 fifth-round pick Oronde Gadsden II, who recorded 49 receptions for 664 yards and three touchdowns during his rookie campaign. According to Spotrac's calculated market value projections, the Steelers veteran is expected to sign a two-year contract worth approximately $14 million, with an average annual income of $7.3 million.
As NFL teams continue to shape their rosters for the upcoming season, the question remains: which franchise would provide the optimal environment for Jonnu Smith's talents? With connections to multiple coaching staffs and demonstrated production in various offensive systems, Smith represents one of the more intriguing veteran options available in the tight end market. Only time will reveal where this experienced pass-catcher will land as teams finalize their offensive weaponry for the new campaign.
