Jonnu Smith: Everything you need to know

The Steelers released Smith on Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Following a career year with the Dolphins in 2024 in which he caught 88 of 111 targets for 884 yards and eight touchdowns, Smith was reunited with OC Arthur Smith in Pittsburgh via trade last offseason. Despite the familiarity, Smith found himself in a three- and four-way committee at tight end with the Steelers and never seemed to gel with Aaron Rodgers. Across 17 regular-season games, Smith caught just 38 of 54 targets for 222 yards and two scores. He'll likely be looking for a team with a less crowded depth chart. The move saves Pittsburgh $7 million against the salary cap.

Smith secured 38 of 54 targets for 222 yards and two touchdowns across 17 regular-season games with the Steelers in 2025. Smith posted a career-best 88-884-8 line on 111 targets with the Dolphins in 2024, but an offseason contract dispute led to his being traded to Pittsburgh, where his receiving production plummeted in a run-first offense designed by Arthur Smith (now at Ohio State). It's hard to imagine a worse scenario for the 30-year-old tight end to have found himself in. The arrival of new head coach Mike McCarthy could provide a new spark on offense, but even if things change for the better, Smith may not have a path to re-emerging as a consistent fantasy contributor due to the involvement of fellow tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington (forearm). Smith has one more year under contract.

Smith (glute) does not carry an injury designation into Monday's AFC wild-card game against the Texans, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports. Smith popped up on Friday's injury report as a limited practice participant due to a glute injury. He was able to log a full session Saturday, which was enough for him to fade an injury designation for Monday's playoff game. Smith logged just one catch (on two targets) for two yards during the Steelers' regular-season finale against the Ravens, and he'll operate as a rotational option in the passing game behind fellow tight end Pat Freiermuth.