Jonnu Smith

Career StatsD+

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		4	—	—	—
2025		4	—	—	—

Updated Mar 18, 2026

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Steelers pulled off a genuine steal with Jonnu Smith's four-year, $6.2M deal, earning an A CVI that reflects exceptional value in today's tight end market. At just $1.5M per season, Pittsburgh is paying rotational player money for a veteran who brings proven NFL production and versatility — a stark contrast to the $8-12M annually that above-average tight ends typically command. Smith's age curve works in the Steelers' favor here, as he's still in his prime years and can contribute immediately in both receiving and blocking packages without the team carrying significant long-term risk. The contract structure is particularly shrewd with only $1.1M guaranteed, giving Pittsburgh flexibility while locking up a reliable target who can complement their offensive system. This signing exemplifies smart roster building — the Steelers identified a quality player whose market value had dipped and secured him at a fraction of what similar production costs elsewhere, creating both immediate depth and potential upside if Smith recaptures his earlier form.

Performance Analysis

Jonnu Smith, a rookie tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers, enters his first NFL season with just four career games under his belt, placing him firmly in the early developmental stage of his professional journey. At 22 years old, Smith's limited sample size makes it difficult to project his long-term reliability, though his six career tackles suggest he's seen action primarily on special teams rather than as a featured offensive weapon. The Steelers appear to be bringing Smith along slowly in their tight end rotation, using these early appearances to evaluate his blocking fundamentals and route-running development in live game situations. His current D+ performance grade reflects the growing pains typical of rookie tight ends adjusting to the speed and complexity of NFL defenses. With Pittsburgh's need for depth at the position, Smith's ability to stay healthy and contribute consistently in upcoming games will be crucial to earning more substantial offensive snaps. The organization will be closely monitoring whether he can build on this early experience to become a reliable target for their quarterback while also holding up as an in-line blocker. Smith's trajectory over the remainder of the season will largely determine if he develops into a legitimate offensive contributor or remains primarily a special teams asset.

Fan Sentiment

A below-average cost-cutting move that signals the Steelers are rebuilding their tight end room. Five separate reports confirm Pittsburgh saves $7M in cap space, making this a financially driven decision. Smith never justified his role after one disappointing season in Pittsburgh. Fans are frustrated the Steelers couldn't extract more value from the veteran tight end. Pittsburgh must now prioritize finding a reliable pass-catching tight end through the draft or free agency.