Jonnu Smith’s hope for a new contract with the Miami Dolphins could be complicated thanks to the NFL’s recent spending trend

The Miami Dolphins’ bumpy ride of an offseason took another turn this past week with the revelation that the team has had trade conversations with the Pittsburgh Steelers centered around 2024 Pro Bowl selection Jonnu Smith this offseason. The report, which came courtesy of ESPN’s Adam Schefter, highlights an offseason of change with the Dolphins […]

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
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The Miami Dolphins’ bumpy ride of an offseason took another turn this past week with the revelation that the team has had trade conversations with the Pittsburgh Steelers centered around 2024 Pro Bowl selection Jonnu Smith this offseason. The report, which came courtesy of ESPN’s Adam Schefter, highlights an offseason of change with the Dolphins — and no stone is being left unturned in Miami’s quest to overhaul a roster that had clearly reached its ceiling in 2023.

The context around the trade discussions featuring Smith are important, however. Schefter noted that Smith prefers to stay with the Dolphins but is seeking to have his contract re-worked. Smith is entering into the final year of a two-year, $8.4 million contract signed with the Dolphins last spring.

With the knowledge of Smith’s hopes and aspirations to stay in Miami (while getting paid like the Pro Bowler he was last season) and the success the Dolphins enjoyed with Smith serving as a prominent target, it’s possible that this is all just an elaborate dance between the two parties as common ground is found on a contract extension.

And, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported yesterday, the pending trade of cornerback Jalen Ramsey could be the domino necessary to spur Miami to shake free the cash they have earmarked for a new Jonnu Smith deal. The Dolphins may have to eat some of Ramsey’s salary to facilitate a trade, but at least some of Ramsey’s financial commitment is set to come off the books.

The Dolphins will need it. Smith is right to aspire for a new deal and the Dolphins shouldn’t take it for granted that he’s a positive locker room leader who wants to be in Miami. Focusing on the sins of the Dolphins’ last round of contract extensions last summer is short-sighted and would be nothing short of recency bias. Those extensions featured costly talents such as Tyreek Hill and Jalen Ramsey, and both flopped in the year since.

Flopped may not be a harsh enough adjective, given the Dolphins are currently jumping through hoops to offload Ramsey and likely would have done the same with Hill had he not gotten caught up in yet another series of off-field misdeeds already this spring. To be fair to Smith and his interest in a new contract relative to those names, neither Hill or Ramsey were entering into a contract year in 2024 — making Miami’s decision to re-work both deals even more egregious.

Finding a fresh deal with Smith should be considered good business but the price point on this deal will be complex — particularly for a football team that’s foundation is currently on rocky ground. Would Mike McDaniel survive a disappointing 2025? If not, how would the Dolphins’ next scheme accommodate Smith? Do they want to risk a longer commitment with that unknown? And even if that weren’t a variable of concern, the tight end market will make negotiations complicated.

The fact that the Dolphins “sought” a trade partner for Smith after it was made apparent he was looking for a new deal suggests that there may be a chasm in the price points for both parties. It would make sense, as there's a wide gap between what Smith is owed and some of the recent deals the league has signed. To boot, Ian Rapoport just yesterday admitted that Smith is seeking a big number.

“(It) feels to me like (Smith) wants more money and would like to stay…I know he wants a lot. We’ll see what they end up doing.” – Ian Rapoport on Jonnu Smith’s aspirations with Miami

The evolving salary market, especially at the tight end position, will not help these two sides close any potential gap. Smith and his representation, Drew Rosenhaus, are likely looking at contracts signed by other tight ends this offseason and asking why they shouldn’t get a bump — especially when the production, not only in 2024 but for careers, favors Smith.

Here are three notable deals that are likely going to be central pieces of Smith and Rosenhaus’ argument for more money from the Dolphins.

Evan Engram’s two-year, $23 million deal with Denver

Cash due in 2025: $11.5 million

Engram is, like Smith, a receiving target first and foremost. He signed this contract this offseason to serve as Sean Payton’s “Joker” as a mismatch player and got a handsome $11.5 million annual average salary despite being in line to turn 31-years old before the start of the regular season. Smith, for what it’s worth, turns 30 in August.

Noah Fant’s two-year, $21 million deal with Seattle

Cash due in 2025: $9 million

Fant was traded to Seattle from Denver as a part of the Russell Wilson trade in 2022. He failed to exceed 50 receptions, crack 500 receiving yards, and posted four total touchdowns in two seasons before signing his new deal in Seattle at an average of $10.5 million per season last offseason. Fant has been used on fewer snaps as a run blocker in three consecutive seasons in Seattle now and has a role that serves primarily as a pass-catcher, much like Smith was used this past season in Miami.

Juwan Johnson’s three-year, $30.75 million deal with New Orleans

Cash due in 2025: $12.17 million

Johnson, who turns 29-years old in September, has been a late bloomer amid converting to tight end as a big receiver who went undrafted in 2020. He converted to tight end in 2021 and has since become a valuable flex player at the position. He’s also coming off a career best season in 2024, logging 697 snaps and posting 50 receptions for 548 yards and three touchdowns. Smith, as a reminder, logged 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns this past season in Miami.

Throw in the middle class of tight end contracts, which sees names like John Bates, Noah Gray, Colby Parkinson, Tommy Tremble, Luke Farrell and Austin Hooper all sign deals in the last year that land between $5 million to $7.5 million. When you consider these deals, Jonnu Smith has a point.

It will be up to the Miami Dolphins to look in the mirror and ask how important it is for them to maintain Smith as a focal point of their passing offense beyond 2025. He’s due for $4.09 million in cash this season and then set to hit free agency thereafter. 

You could make the argument that a long-term offseason, like the one Miami has generally had this offseason, could nudge them to “cash out” on a big hit in free agency. But the proof of concept with the Dolphins’ other offensive centerpieces, his presence as a quality leader in the locker room and Miami’s need to properly reward performance, not name value, suggest there could (and should) be a deal to be made.

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