Durham Smythe Bio
Durham Smythe is an American professional football tight end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 246 pounds, he is recognized for his run-blocking ability, dependable hands, and quiet leadership at the tight end position. After being drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, Smythe built a productive career in South Florida before signing with the Chicago Bears in March 2025.
Early Life and Background
Durham Smythe was born on August 9, 1995, in Havertown, Pennsylvania. Growing up in the Philadelphia area, he developed an early interest in football, a sport woven deeply into the local sporting culture. His size and athleticism allowed him to develop at a steady pace through youth leagues, where he began playing tight end, a position that suited his frame and skill set.
Smythe attended Belton High School in Belton, Texas, where he played high school football and continued to refine his abilities as both a blocker and a pass catcher. His performance at Belton helped establish him as a recruitable college prospect, and his development through high school set the foundation for his eventual transition into major college football.
Path to American Football
Coming out of Belton High School, Durham Smythe received attention from several college programs and ultimately committed to Notre Dame, one of the most storied programs in college football. At Notre Dame, he joined a competitive tight end room and worked to earn his role through consistent practice habits and reliable play. His development under the Fighting Irish coaching staff prepared him for the physical demands of the next level.
Across four seasons at Notre Dame, Smythe appeared in a significant number of games and grew into a dependable contributor. He finished his college career with 28 receptions for 381 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns, demonstrating a balanced skill set as both a receiver and a blocker. His production and toughness against top collegiate competition helped position him as a draftable prospect heading into the 2018 NFL Draft.
Durham Smythe Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Durham Smythe was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round with the 123rd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, using a pick acquired from the Cleveland Browns in the Jarvis Landry trade. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2018 season against the Tennessee Titans and recorded his first two career receptions in Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts. In his rookie season, Smythe totaled six receptions for 50 receiving yards while adjusting to the speed and complexity of professional football.
In the 2019 season, Smythe appeared in all 16 games and started 14, a sign of his growing importance within the Dolphins offense. He finished the year with seven receptions for 65 receiving yards, providing dependable blocking on early downs and serving as a reliable underneath option in the passing game. His steady presence helped establish him as a regular contributor heading into his third season.
Miami Dolphins Breakthrough (2020–2022)
The 2020 season marked a clear step forward for Durham Smythe. In Week 6 against the New York Jets, he scored his first professional touchdown on a four-yard reception, a moment that signaled his emergence as a more active part of the passing game. Across 15 games and 13 starts that year, he recorded 26 receptions for 208 yards and two touchdowns, establishing new career highs across the major receiving categories.
Smythe continued his upward trajectory in 2021, appearing in all 17 games and starting 12, finishing with 34 receptions for 357 yards, the highest yardage total of his career at that point. On March 22, 2022, he re-signed with the Dolphins on a two-year contract, a move that reflected his value to the team. In the 2022 season, he appeared in 16 games and started 15, finishing with 15 receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown, scored in Week 12 against Houston.
Continued Dolphins Tenure and Chicago Bears Era (2023–Present)
On April 3, 2023, Durham Smythe signed a contract extension with the Miami Dolphins that ran through the 2025 season, a sign of his standing within the organization. He finished the 2023 season with 35 receptions for 366 yards, continuing to serve as a starting tight end and a fixture in two-tight-end sets. In the 2024 season, his role shifted slightly, finishing with nine receptions for 53 yards while contributing on special teams.
Smythe was released by the Dolphins on February 14, 2025, after spending seven seasons with the franchise. On March 12, 2025, he signed with the Chicago Bears, beginning a new chapter in his career. During the 2025 season, he has primarily served as a blocking tight end or fullback, bringing his physical style and experience to a Chicago offense looking for veteran toughness.
Driving Style and Strengths
Durham Smythe is valued primarily for his blocking ability, his capacity to play in-line at tight end or move into a fullback role, and his dependable hands as a short-area receiver. His size, strength, and football intelligence make him a strong fit for run-heavy schemes and two-tight-end packages, where his willingness to do the unglamorous work in the trenches is appreciated by coaches and teammates alike.
Notable Events and Milestones
Smythe’s most notable milestones include his first career touchdown against the New York Jets in 2020, his career-high 357 receiving yards in 2021, and his transition to the Chicago Bears in 2025 after seven seasons in Miami. His journey from a fourth-round draft pick to a long-tenured NFL tight end stands as a testament to consistent development and professional durability.
Durham Smythe Career Wins
Across his professional career, Durham Smythe has built a reputation as a reliable contributor rather than a headline-grabbing star. His value has been reflected in regular-season game appearances, starting roles, and extended contract commitments from the Miami Dolphins, all signs of trust from coaching staffs and front offices.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
Smythe has appeared in every regular season for the Miami Dolphins from 2018 through 2024, accumulating more than 100 career receptions and several hundred receiving yards. His single-season best for receptions came in 2023 with 35 catches, while his career-high 357 receiving yards came in 2021. His first career touchdown was scored in 2020 against the New York Jets, and he added additional scores in 2020 and 2022.
Other Performances
In addition to his offensive role, Smythe has contributed on special teams, particularly during the 2024 season with the Dolphins. At the college level, he recorded 28 receptions for 381 yards and six touchdowns across four seasons at Notre Dame, offering an early glimpse of the balanced tight end profile he would carry into the NFL.
Durham Smythe Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Durham Smythe’s family background is limited. He grew up in the Philadelphia area before attending high school in Belton, Texas, and has generally kept his personal and family life private.
Personal Life
Smythe is known to be focused on his football career and has kept his personal life largely out of the public eye. Detailed information about his spouse or children has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a new beginning for Durham Smythe with the Chicago Bears. After signing on March 12, 2025, he joined a Bears organization looking to add veteran presence and physicality to its tight end room. His early-season role has centered on run blocking and special teams, areas where his experience and toughness translate well.
Through the early portion of the 2025 campaign, Smythe has operated primarily as a blocking tight end or fullback, helping set the tone in the run game while remaining available as a short-yardage option in the passing attack. His familiarity with in-line techniques and two-tight-end schemes has allowed him to fit smoothly into Chicago’s offensive structure.
Looking ahead, Smythe’s 2025 outlook with the Bears will depend on his continued health and the team’s offensive identity. With his contract running through the current season, he has an opportunity to cement his value as a versatile veteran and potentially extend his role beyond 2025 if his contributions remain consistent.