Steelers insider predicts Pittsburgh will cut ties with $12 million playmaker

Before heading into free agency in March, the Pittsburgh Steelers have some decisions to make on players under contract.

One of those players is tight end Jonnu Smith, who the team acquired via trade with the Miami Dolphins in a deal that also brought in cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The Steelers then inked Smith to a one-year, $12.01 million contract extension.

When it comes to Smith's future in Pittsburgh, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette predicts the tight end will get cut.

"Well, I think they will start with a TE who was brought in this season," Dulac said when asked who the team could trade or release.

Dulac didn't mention the tight end by name in his prediction, but Smith is the only notable one the Steelers added in 2025.

That move did not come close to panning out for Pittsburgh. Smith recorded 38 catches for just 222 yards and two touchdowns, a far cry from the career-best campaign he had in 2024, when he earned a Pro Bowl nod.

The Steelers just couldn't find effective ways to utilize Smith like the Dolphins did, and even when he got opportunities he didn't do much with them.

Perhaps new head coach Mike McCarthy envisions having more success with Smith in his own offense, but that remains to be seen.

The fact of the matter is, the Steelers' tight ends room is way too crowded when you also include Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth.

There simply isn't enough snaps to go around and it's a waste of money to keep all three, so someone has to get the boot.

Smith is the most logical candidate, as it'll only cost $3.8 million in dead money to part ways with him. Pittsburgh would also save $7 million in cap space by making that move.

The Steelers will likely explore a trade, but it's hard to envision Pittsburgh getting much interest given Smith's contract and the down season he just had.

Either way, we'd expect Smith to be playing elsewhere in 2026.

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