Broncos named an ideal landing spot for recent Pro Bowler, and he could be a missing gear to help get Denver over the hump
One 2024 Pro Bowler is still available, and his recent track record should have the attention of Denver’s front office ahead of the 2026 season.
The Denver Broncos came close to getting to the Super Bowl back in January, but they fell just short, losing 10-7 at home in a driving snowstorm to the New England Patriots.
One area the Broncos didn’t reach their ceiling was at tight end. Evan Engram’s impact in the passing game was muted, as he totaled 50 catches for 461 yards and just one score. Adam Trautman added just 20 catches for 195 yards and a touchdown.
Is there an option out there who might serve as a shot in the arm to the positional group? There just might be, depending on what he has left in the tank. 2024 Pro Bowler Jonnu Smith remains an unrestricted free agent, and CBS Sports NFL writer Bryan DeArdo sees the Broncos as his ideal landing spot.
Denver named ideal landing spot for free agent TE Jonnu Smith
“Smith’s skill set also meshes with Sean Payton’s offense, which gives pass-catchers a chance to make plays after the catch,” DeArdo wrote.
Smith, the 2024 version, has the upside to potentially push the Denver offense over the tipping point and to the top of the AFC in 2026. That year, in his eighth NFL season, Smith had a breakout performance, totaling a team-high 88 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns for the Miami Dolphins, all of which set or matched career bests.
But could the Broncos get that level of production from Smith in year ten of his career? In 2024, Smith’s breakout came in part out of necessity. The Dolphins’ deep passing game had few answers for the coverage over the top that opposing defenses deployed to keep Tyreek Hill from scorching them deep, and Miami’s punchless run game couldn’t make light boxes pay. So, Mike McDaniel schemed Smith heavily into the short passing attack, and the veteran tight end delivered.
2025 was a return to earth for Smith after being traded to the Steelers in the offseason. He totaled 38 catches for 222 yards and two scores, while Pittsburgh’s offense sputtered to just barely claim the AFC North before bowing out of the playoffs in an emphatic home loss to the Texans.
Is it worth finding out for Denver if Smith is close enough to his 2024 Pro Bowl season to make a difference in the Broncos’ offense in 2026? As with most anything in life, if the price is right.
We’ll find out soon enough if Denver decides to kick the tires on the veteran, as training camp gets underway in less than four weeks.