Miami Dolphins Make Big Trades

The city of Miami recently witnessed a major shake-up in the Dolphins’ roster. On the last day of June, the Dolphins made a surprising trade that involved sending cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. While it was not shocking to see Ramsey traded as discussions about parting ways had been public, Smith’s departure raised eyebrows.

Smith shared his thoughts on the trade during an appearance on a podcast hosted by retired Dolphins offensive tackle Terron Armstead. “I didn’t foresee this happening with how the season went for me individually,” Smith stated. He expressed a desire to stay with the Dolphins, highlighting that Miami has been like home for him and his family. “I’m grateful. I’ve got no ill feelings toward Miami and nobody in the organization,” he added. However, he also acknowledged that it was painful to see the process unfold.

Smith came off a remarkable year, notching up 884 yards on 88 receptions and scoring eight touchdowns, all of which set franchise records for a tight end. It was a significant improvement for him in his eighth year after struggling in previous seasons. “For me, I felt that I was in a position that I thought that I was one of the key ingredients to help this team succeed,” he mentioned, expressing disappointment over the Dolphins’ unwillingness to extend his contract at Pro Bowl level.

Despite rumors swirling about a potential trade for weeks, Smith had maintained he wanted to stay a Dolphin. However, financial constraints forced Miami to part ways with him, leading to his move to the Steelers where he secured a one-year, $12 million extension. There, Smith will join a team that lacks star pass-catching options but already boasts a strong tight end group.

In other news, the Steelers confirmed that they have extended general manager Omar Khan for an additional three years. Meanwhile, the Dolphins are reportedly finalizing a deal for Darren Waller of the New York Giants as they continue to reshape their tight end position.

As the offseason continues, both teams are preparing for what lies ahead, with Miami focusing on rebuilding and Pittsburgh looking to strengthen its roster.