Steelers' Jonnu Smith Reveals Dolphins' Deep Locker Room Issues That Led To Trade With Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been making major moves all throughout the offseason, and they show no signs of slowing down. Most recently, they completed a blockbuster trade that sent safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for veteran tight end Jonnu Smith and star cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The trade took many by surprise, not only with fans and analysts, but also Smith himself, who admitted he didn’t see it coming.

Recently, Smith was a guest on Terron Armstead's podcast, where Armstead led an interview talking about various parts of Smith's football career. As expected, the topic of Smith’s recent trade to the Steelers came up during the conversation. When asked about how he felt regarding the move, Smith opened up and shared that, given the internal issues and dynamics taking place in Miami, he did not anticipate being traded at all.

"We had some locker room issues... I'm sure they want to bring some high character guys, you know what I mean, in there and keep them guys around and help with the leadership side of things," Smith said. "And you know, that's who I've been my whole career, dog. I've been a guy who's been there for my teammates, been respectful to everybody in the building, been active in the community, and just always was for the team, was willing to always do anything for the team. So, I didn't foresee this happening. You know what I'm saying? And that's why it was a little shocking for me."

There have been rumors that the Dolphins may have been dealing with some internal locker room issues, although nothing has ever been officially confirmed. Still, when a season falls short of expectations, it’s not uncommon for tensions to be high behind the scenes. Based on Smith's comments, it appears he believed he could have helped resolve some of those issues. However, despite those intentions, the Dolphins ultimately decided to move on and include him in the trade with Pittsburgh.

During his appearance, Smith also opened up about the financial side of his departure from Miami. He shared that the Dolphins weren’t able to meet his contract expectations or fully recognize his value on paper, while the Steelers were able to do so. The environment Smith is entering in Pittsburgh already looks more promising than last year’s, especially with the addition of other experienced players who also hope to serve as strong voices in the locker room. While Smith didn’t outright say it, he suggested that being a high-character, team-first presence is something that naturally comes with who he is, and it’s something he plans to bring to the Steelers' culture.

The Steelers plan to use Smith as a highly versatile player on their offense. Smith brings the physicality, strength, and blocking ability expected from a traditional tight end, but he also is a legitimate receiving threat. This dual threat ability adds another layer to Pittsburgh’s offensive scheme. 

Following the departure of George Pickens, it's no secret that the team has been searching for another reliable receiving option, someone who can help fill the void left by Pickens. While Smith may not be a conventional wide receiver, his experience and dynamic play style position him as a valuable piece to the passing game.

Steelers Have An Upgraded Offense On Paper For 2025

From major signings to surprising departures, it feels like the entire offense has been changed. On paper, the group looks dramatically different, and much better, compared to last season. However, as promising as these upgrades appear, it’s difficult to truly know the effectiveness of these changes before the regular season begins, but fans will certainly be excited to see. 

What do you think of the Steelers' new look on offense? Let us know in the comments below!

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