Veteran tight end Jonnu Smith agreed to a one-year deal with the Green Bay Packers, according to reporting by Jordan Schultz.
The Green Bay Packers added veteran reinforcement to their tight end room by agreeing to a one-year contract with Jonnu Smith. NFL insider Jordan Schultz first reported the agreement, which brings the 31-year-old pass catcher to his fifth NFL franchise.
Roster Depth Pressures Prompt Offense Addition
The acquisition comes as the Packers grapple with injuries and unproven depth at the position. Luke Musgrave is still on the PUP list with a neck issue, and there is currently no established timetable for his return. WSAU noted that the future of Luke Musgrave with Green Bay appears to be coming to an end after he suffered a neck injury in July, and the team is unsure if it will impact his ability to play football long-term.
Behind Tucker Kraft, who is one of the stars of Green Bay’s offense, they have therefore been relying on unproven options like Josh Whyle, Drake Dabney and Messiah Swinson to carry the load throughout training camp, and no one has really grabbed the opportunity. Perhaps it is not a coincidence that the day after Jordan Love threw two interceptions when targeting tight ends in the joint practice against the Cardinals on Wednesday, the Packers have decided to get serious and turn to a veteran option.
Jonnu Smith Career Production and Coaching Connections
Smith arrives in Green Bay with an extensive professional resume. Selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Smith has appeared in 141 games with 91 starts for the Titans, Patriots, Falcons, Dolphins, and Steelers. Over nine seasons, he has accumulated more than 3,500 receiving yards and 30 career touchdowns.
Last season with Pittsburgh, Smith appeared in all 17 games, catching 38 passes for 222 yards with two touchdowns. He spent last season playing with Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he even had nine rushing attempts with the Steelers last season. That durability extends back several years; Smith has not missed a game since 2022, playing all 17 games in each of the last three seasons.
His most productive individual campaign arrived when playing for Mike McDaniel with Miami in 2024, who like LaFleur is an offshoot of the Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay coaching tree, where Smith posted 886 yards and eight touchdowns on his way to the only Pro Bowl nod of his career. He was also coached by Matt LaFleur when the now-Packers head coach was the offensive coordinator for the Titans back in 2018. A versatile tight end, Smith has been used in creative ways during his career, including with the Dolphins.
Fit in Green Bay and Veteran Strategy
General manager Brian Gutekunst mentioned after the draft back in April that they had hoped to be able to add a tight end, but it did not transpire. That was in part due to an unusual run of picks at the position on day two, as the NFL embraces more multiple-tight-end sets. Gutekunst intimated they were seeking more of a traditional Y tight end who could help as a blocker. That is not Smith, who has not had a PFF run block grade higher than 45.2 since 2020, but LaFleur should have some fun cooking up ways to get him the ball, and the combination of Kraft and Smith could be intriguing.
The signing of Smith is another signal the Packers are not content to sit on their hands this year as they look to push for a Super Bowl. Smith follows a trend of the Packers showing more of a willingness to sign older players than in previous seasons. Smith is the fourth player entering their age 30 season or older to be acquired since the start of the offseason. He follows Javon Hargrave, Zaire Franklin and Tyrod Taylor, and becomes the only offensive skill position player over the age of 29.
The Packers said on Wednesday that Tucker Kraft is expected to be fully active come Week 1 against the Vikings, where Smith will look to provide an immediate target in the offense.
Worth a look
