One of the best Miami Dolphins success stories in recent years is reportedly hoping for a 2026 return
One of the best Miami Dolphins success stories of recent memory is reportedly eyeing a return in 2026.
The Miami Dolphins‘ receiving corp boasts plenty of youth and plenty of questions. There have been pleasant surprises, such as the early camp performance of rookie Caleb Douglas.
But by and large, the team can’t really say they know what they have in this group. Whether or not some additional moves come together over the next few weeks will be interesting to watch. If they do, a name has been introduced into the conversation to watch. And it just so happens that he’s one of the best Miami success stories in recent years.
Former Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith is reportedly interested in a return in 2026
Josh Moser of WSVN-TV recently joined the ‘Fins Faithful Podcast’ and dropped a tidbit on a potential tidbit of interest. Former Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith is, apparently, interested in re-joining the Dolphins after facilitating a trade to Pittsburgh 13 months ago.
“Jonnu Smith wants to come back. Ain’t there on the money yet. Why wouldn’t you want to come back? He’s here, he’s home. But it’s also (that) he wants to compete. And if he’s not going to get the money, he wants to go play for a team that he’s got a chance to do something with,” said Moser.
Here’s the thing. If anyone knows, it would be Moser. Moser has been doing weekly segments with super-agent Drew Rosenhaus on Sunday nights for years. And Jonnu Smith’s agent just so happens to be…you guessed it, Drew Rosenhaus.
The good news for Smith’s hopes
Perhaps the best news for Smith if he hopes to join the Dolphins is that the regime has fully changed. Lest we forget, Smith wanted a new contract some 18 months ago after posting 88 receptions for 884 yards and 8 touchdowns with the Miami Dolphins in 2024. His bid for a renewed contract with one year remaining on his original two-year deal with Miami, fell short. And he was eventually packaged with Jalen Ramsey in a trade with Pittsburgh.
If there were hard feelings there, no one is left to feel them on Miami’s side of the fence. But two things are worth noting here: Smith isn’t exactly in a high-ground position to negotiate big dollars, and the Dolphins will need to want him added to the roster, too. We currently have no idea how mutual the interest is.
Is this a fit?
Miami’s tight end room is fully remodeled, but young. Will Kacmarek and Seydou Traore are rookies and veteran journeyman Ben Sims is also new. Would experience be helpful here? Absolutely. But Smith averaged 0.1 more yards per catch last season in Pittsburgh (5.8) than Dolphins running back De’Von Achane averaged per carry last season (5.7). Smith bet on himself to facilitate a pay raise last offseason. He got the raise — but the on-field product yielded perhaps a worst case scenario. He’s not in a leveraged position for negotiations so if money is part of the problem now, it may be hard to solve.
I’m not naive to the business side of the NFL, but this regime has talked about guys who love football and wanting to overhaul the culture in Miami. Smith strong-armed his way out of town (without a fuss, but nonetheless…) to get a raise and now is, reportedly, eyeing Miami as a destination because of presumed opportunity…to what end? To try to cash in again next offseason somewhere else?
I don’t know…but I do have a great deal of respect for Smith and his ability. I found him to be an admirable worker and a calming presence in his year with the Dolphins. He was professional and productive. But the way he left, plus the apparent reasons why he’d entertain coming back? It leaves me with plenty of unanswered questions before getting too excited about a success story returning to the Miami Dolphins.
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