The Pittsburgh Steelers made plenty of headlines during the 2025 offseason. They went after players who fit. One of those additions, tight end Jonnu Smith, has already drawn outside praise for what he could become in Pittsburgh’s offense. Not from the usual talking heads, but from a podcast that isn’t even centered around the black and gold.
Al Diaz / Miami Herald via AP
Steelers' TE Jonnu Smith celebrating a massive touchdown as a Miami Dolphin against the New York Jets.
On the Zach Smacks Show, the hosts dropped a candid take that not only called attention to Smith’s upside, but also quietly nodded to Pittsburgh’s knack for getting the most out of players others gave up on.
Before diving into why that matters for the Steelers in 2025, it’s worth noting the context. Smith was acquired after a brief, but productive stint with the Dolphins. Now, in a restructured Steelers offense under Arthur Smith, he’s walking into a system designed around familiarity, flexibility, and identity, something Pittsburgh desperately needed after the 2024 season.
“I think he's going to be a really good asset in Pittsburgh," one host labeled as "Bud" said.
The hosts were conversing on how Smith will develop into the Pittsburgh roster, and another chimed in to agree, specifying that certain players get better once they leave Miami.
"Agreed 100%," Zach Gordon said. "Feels like we make the same mistake a lot of times where we let a lot of players go and then they end up being really good on other teams. I mean, I'm sure we're not the only team to do that, but I would say that the Dolphins do that a lot more than other teams.”
Rarely, a quote from outside Pittsburgh captures so much in so few words. What the hosts are highlighting isn’t just Jonnu Smith’s potential; they’re pointing out a broader league trend: teams move on from players before giving them the right opportunity. In Jonnu Smith’s case, the Dolphins seemed unsure of how to use him, stuck between his reputation as a pass-catcher and his effectiveness as a blocker, and just like that, he was gone.
Pittsburgh saw something different. They saw a piece that fits in a puzzle they’ve been trying to solve since Pat Freiermuth began to battle injuries and inconsistencies. More importantly, they saw a tight end who already knew how to thrive in Arthur Smith’s offense system.
Benjamin B. Braun / Post-Gazette
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith celebrate together after the game following a hard-fought win.
Jonnu Smith’s value comes in the form of multiplicity. That part of his game, the one that didn’t always show up in box scores, may be the trait that helps the offense stay on schedule.
The plan with Jonnu Smith and recently acquired players seems to be to identify a player with talent, drop him into a role where he fits, and let the culture do the rest. That’s been Pittsburgh’s approach for decades, and in a season where the franchise is trying to build around veteran talent and re-establish itself as a playoff threat, it makes sense to lean into that identity once again.
The offense may not be flashy yet, but it’s forming an identity that favors balance over highlight reels. If Jonnu Smith quietly helps this unit move the chains, protect the veteran quarterback, and win at the line of scrimmage, he’ll have done exactly what the Steelers hoped and what the Dolphins couldn’t figure out how to unlock.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Aaron Rodgers throwing a no look pass during Steelers mini-camp in 2025.
Steelers May Have Found A Gem In Jonnu Smith
It’s not often that a podcast quote ends up perfectly summing up what a player could mean to a team, but the Zach Smacks crew nailed it. Jonnu Smith may not lead the team in catches, but his presence could quietly reshape how Pittsburgh operates in critical moments. He’s no longer just a former Dolphin; he’s now part of the Steelers’ plan.
Do you think Jonnu Smith will become a key piece in the Steelers’ offense, or will Miami’s decision to let him go prove justified? Let us know in the comments!
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