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Patriots Showing Interest in Former Steelers Tight End
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- Patriots Showing Interest in Former Steelers Tight End
Pittsburgh Steelers TE Jonnu Smith plays against the Indianapolis Colts. Ed Thompson/Steelers Now
A former tight end of the Pittsburgh Steelers could have a new home very soon.
A former tight end of the Pittsburgh Steelers could soon be on the move following his recent release by the team.
According to Justin Ramos of The Lead , the New England Patriots have shown interest in former Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith .
Smith, 30, was released by the Steelers just ahead of the NFL's new league year in a move that will save them $7 million in cap space for 2026.
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However, Smith's release didn't come as a surprise to most after he greatly disappointed in his only season in Pittsburgh, recording just 38 catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games.
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith in a game against the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 15, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Smith was acquired by the Steelers in a trade with the Miami Dolphins last offseason, and at the time, he was coming off a Pro Bowl season in which he had a career-high 88 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns.
That is not how things played out in Pittsburgh, though, and it may go down as one of Steelers general manager Omar Khan's worst moves to date.
Smith's dip in production was likely due to the fact he was part of a very crowded tight end room that also included Pat Freiermuth , Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward .
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However, when Smith was awarded with opportunities, he rarely took advantage of them, and thus, his time in Pittsburgh came to an end.
The Steelers currently have Freiermuth and Washington set to return in 2026, and they will likely further add to the room via free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft.
A third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans , Smith has recorded 345 catches for 3,529 yards and 30 touchdowns in his professional career.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Patriots Showing Interest in Former Steelers Tight End
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