The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired defensive back Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith in a trade with the Miami Dolphins in the 2025 offseason. The Steelers also got a 2027 seventh-round pick from the Dolphins. In exchange, the Steelers sent safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Dolphins. The move immediately generated buzz across the league, as Pittsburgh appeared to be making a bold push to strengthen both sides of the ball with proven veterans.
Al Diaz / Miami Herald via AP
Steelers TE Jonnu Smith celebrating a massive touchdown as a Miami Dolphin against the New York Jets.
The trade was widely viewed as exciting, especially because of what Ramsey could bring to the defense and what Smith could add to the offense. Many pundits believed the Steelers tight end room, featuring Smith, Pat Freiermuth, and Darnell Washington, had the potential to become a lethal trio capable of overwhelming opposing secondaries. On paper, the combination of size, athleticism, and versatility looked like a matchup nightmare.
However, the reality on the field did not match the hype. One of the biggest issues was the lack of chemistry between Smith and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, as the two struggled to get on the same page throughout the season. Smith’s disappointing performance was put under a spotlight during the Steelers 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans on Monday night, when former Steelers offensive lineman and two-time Super Bowl champion Trai Essex took to social media to openly criticize just how poorly Smith played in the loss.
Oh man, watching this film is like pouring a bag of salt on a big ass wound. The level of ineptitude. Defense just gives up a long drive and the offense’s first play in response is a screen pass to Jonnu. Hate the play call but it was blocked perfectly. Isaac and Dylan both… pic.twitter.com/oQSfzkFA61
— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) January 13, 2026
Essex did not hold back after watching the Steelers’ film from their Monday night loss to the Texans. Essex called out the play where the offense’s first response to a long defensive stand was a screen pass to Smith.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith (81) down on the field while the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
He criticized the execution, noting that both Isaac Seumalo and Dylan Cook had perfect leverage to spring Smith outside, but Smith ran straight into the defender. Essex bluntly concluded that Smith hurt the team more than he helped on that play, highlighting a season-long pattern of ineffectiveness.
Smith’s struggles were especially glaring given the expectations surrounding his arrival in Pittsburgh. Many pundits thought that adding him to a tight end room with Freiermuth and Washington would create one of the most dangerous groups in the NFL, capable of dominating secondaries.
However, those expectations never materialized. In 2024, Smith had caught 88 passes for 884 yards and scored eight touchdowns in Miami, but in Pittsburgh, he managed just 38 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns. His inability to connect consistently with Rodgers exposed a major flaw in the Steelers’ offensive strategy.
Steelers' Addition Of TE Jonnu Smith Was A Colossal Failure
Making matters worse, the Steelers traded significant assets to acquire Smith and then extended him with a one-year, $12,010,000 contract that included a $7,745,000 signing bonus and $7,745,000 guaranteed. The investment was supposed to pay immediate dividends, but instead, it became a cautionary tale of how a high-profile acquisition can fail spectacularly.
Mark Humphrey / AP Photo
Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, then with the Tennessee Titans, walks off the practice field with tight end Jonnu Smith.
Essex’s scathing critique reflects what many fans and analysts have realized: Smith was a poor fit for the Steelers offense and one of the most disappointing additions in recent memory. Steelers General Manager Omar Khan thought this trade would help Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith and this offense. Instead, it ended with a blowout playoff loss and Mike Tomlin stepping down as head coach.
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