Steelers’ Jonnu Smith Has Strong Opinion On Trade That Sent Him To Pittsburgh

Walking into the Pittsburgh Steelers’ locker room demands a player to step in with undeniable conviction. That’s exactly how Jonnu Smith arrived in Pittsburgh. His recent conversation with former Miami Dolphins teammate Terron Armstead revealed more than emotion; it reaffirmed that the Steelers’ front office executed a trade with purpose and precision. Smith didn’t need to name names or fire shots, as his tone said it all. It wasn’t just about switching teams. It was about landing in a place that values toughness, tradition, and winning. 

For a player who has bounced around in recent years, Pittsburgh offers something different: stability, a clear role, and a roster full of competitors chasing the same goal. If a fan listens closely to his words, it’s clear Smith didn’t just get traded. He got an upgrade.

Just days after the trade that sent the Pro Bowl tight end, Smith, and cornerback, Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh in exchange for Minkah Fitzpatrick, Smith made his feelings clear on Armstead’s podcast.

“We’re guys that love football and want to win," Smith said. "I know you asked the question earlier, ‘Fans, who do you think won this trade?’. But obviously, I’m gonna keep my mouth shut on that because you know who I know won.”

Smith isn’t just speaking for himself; he’s voicing confidence in the vision that the Steelers and their quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, are building. It’s not bravado; it’s belief, belief backed by results, culture, and opportunity.

First, he emphasizes a core Steelers value: the hunger to win. Expertise and chemistry won’t matter unless belief is present. By saying “I’m gonna keep my mouth shut,” he refrains from gloating, yet doesn’t shy from asserting where he stands. That duality underscores a professionalism that elevates locker room morale; his line points to culture. 

The trade wasn’t just about talent; it was about fit. On the podcast, Smith credited Mike Tomlin’s culture and the synergy he sensed with Ramsey and Rodgers. Pittsburgh isn’t piecing together parts; they’re constructing a championship group. 

Smith’s arrival reunites him with Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, whom he knows from earlier stints in Tennessee and Atlanta. That familiarity allows Pittsburgh to deploy him as a tight end, slot receiver, or even fullback, creating mismatches and easing coverage burdens.

Last season, Jonnu Smith ranked fourth among tight ends in receptions and third in scores. In Pittsburgh, those targets don’t disappear; they shift from Miami’s offense to a Steelers unit built around elite weapons and a future Hall of Fame quarterback. While this focuses on the offensive impact, Jonnu Smith’s belief that the Steelers won the trade also reflects how Ramsey’s status boosts team-wide confidence. The Steelers didn’t just add bodies; they added calculated, connectivity-enabled pieces. 

Meanwhile, ambiguities remain. Fitzpatrick is a top-tier safety, and the Dolphins are getting an elite player in return. The success of this deal for Pittsburgh depends on Jonnu Smith and Ramsey maintaining, or even exceeding, past production and elevating the ball with Rodgers the way Pittsburgh hopes. 

The clear takeaway: this wasn’t an emotional afternoon; it was a plan with aligned vision from front office to coach to players. Jonnu Smith’s words echo that. They aren’t bravado, they’re affirmation; not hype, it’s testimony. His silence, “I’m gonna keep my mouth shut on that,” doesn’t dilute the message: he’s where he’s valued, where he belongs.

Steelers’ Strategic Chess Move

In a league where one stray pass or defensive misstep can crush a season, the Steelers didn’t just make headlines, they shifted mindsets. Jonnu Smith is joining a squad on the cusp of contention, and his simple yet firm statement, “you know who I know won”, articulates exactly how Pittsburgh sees itself. The rest of us get to watch. Now, the burden is on the field.

Who do you think won the trade? Let us know in the comments!

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