Jonnu Smith Bio
Jonnu Andre Smith is an American professional football tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida International University Panthers and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. Over the course of his NFL career, Smith has also spent time with the New England Patriots, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Miami Dolphins, establishing himself as a reliable pass-catching tight end known for his athleticism and red-zone production.
A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Smith rose to prominence through perseverance and a strong family foundation. His professional journey has taken him across multiple franchises, and he earned his first Pro Bowl selection following the 2024 season, the highest individual honor of his career to date.
Early Life and Background
Jonnu Andre Smith was born on August 22, 1995, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was raised in the North Philadelphia area by his parents, Wayne and Karen Smith. He is the youngest of six children. According to family accounts, his mother, Karen, was pressured by hospital staff to name him shortly after birth, and after praying, she settled on the name Jonnu. Smith began playing Pop Warner football at the age of five, which marked the start of his lifelong connection to the sport.
Smith endured significant challenges during his childhood in Philadelphia, including the arrest of his brother and the death of a friend on local streets. Because the family did not have the financial means to relocate for safety reasons, Smith moved in with his maternal aunt and uncle in Ocala, Florida. He began playing high school football at West Port High School, where he developed into a college prospect despite not being heavily recruited.
Smith credits his mother, Karen, for much of his success. When Smith was four years old, his father, Wayne, died in a work-related tow truck accident at the age of 40. Karen subsequently raised all six children on her own, and Smith has often spoken about her strength and resilience as a guiding force in his life.
Path to Professional Football
Smith earned a scholarship to Florida International University, where he played college football for the FIU Panthers while majoring in liberal studies. As a freshman in 2013, he appeared in 12 games and finished with 39 receptions for 388 yards and two touchdowns. The following year, in 2014, he played 12 games and posted 61 receptions for 710 yards and eight touchdowns, earning First-team All-Conference USA honors.
His junior season in 2015 was limited to eight games, during which he recorded 36 receptions for 397 yards and four touchdowns. As a senior in 2016, Smith played 11 games and finished with 42 receptions for 506 yards and four touchdowns. He was invited to participate in the 2017 Senior Bowl, where he was joined by several other tight ends considered to be early-round prospects. Smith was one of 19 tight ends invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, where he placed in the top five at his position in most drills, including second in the vertical jump and short shuttle, and sixth in the 40-yard dash.
Jonnu Smith Career
Tennessee Titans Era (2017–2020)
The Tennessee Titans selected Smith in the third round, 100th overall, of the 2017 NFL draft, making him the sixth tight end taken and the seventh player selected in FIU’s school history. He signed a four-year, $3.1 million contract that included a signing bonus of $706,288. Smith made his NFL debut in the season-opening loss to the Oakland Raiders and scored his first career touchdown the following week on a 32-yard screen pass from Marcus Mariota against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He finished his rookie year with 18 receptions for 157 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games, and added two receptions for 15 yards in a Wild Card victory over the Kansas City Chiefs before suffering a torn MCL in the Divisional Round.
Smith was elevated to the Titans’ top tight end role in 2018 after veteran Delanie Walker suffered a dislocated ankle. He posted 20 receptions for 258 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games before a season-ending MCL injury. Smith returned healthy in 2019 and set new career highs with 35 receptions for 439 receiving yards and three touchdowns, also adding four rushes for 78 yards. He delivered a memorable one-handed touchdown catch in a Divisional Round win over the Baltimore Ravens. In 2020, Smith set further career highs with 41 receptions, 448 receiving yards, and eight receiving touchdowns, helping the Titans claim the AFC South title.
New England Patriots (2021–2022)
On March 19, 2021, Smith signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the New England Patriots. He opened his Patriots tenure with five receptions for 42 yards in a narrow season-opening loss to the Dolphins. His only touchdown of the 2021 season came in a Week 4 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he finished the year with 28 receptions for 294 yards in 16 games. The Patriots earned a Wild Card berth, though Smith did not record statistics in the postseason loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Smith entered the 2022 season as the backup tight end behind Hunter Henry. He finished the year with 27 receptions for 245 yards in 14 games and eight starts, serving primarily in a complementary role within the New England offense.
Atlanta Falcons (2023)
On March 15, 2023, Smith was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a 2023 seventh-round draft pick, reuniting him with head coach Arthur Smith, his former tight ends coach and offensive coordinator in Tennessee. He set a new career high with 50 receptions for 582 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games and six starts, highlighted by a five-catch, 100-yard performance against the Minnesota Vikings. Smith was released by the Falcons on February 27, 2024.
Miami Dolphins (2024)
Smith signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Miami Dolphins on March 7, 2024. He made his Dolphins debut in the season-opening victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars and went on to set career highs in receptions with 88 and receiving yards with 884, while tying a career-high eight receiving touchdowns in 17 games and six starts. Standout performances included six receptions for 101 yards and two touchdowns against the Las Vegas Raiders, and 10 receptions for 113 yards against the Green Bay Packers. His strong season earned him his first Pro Bowl selection.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2025–Present)
On June 30, 2025, Smith was traded, along with Jalen Ramsey and a 2027 seventh-round pick, to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, marking his second reunion with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. In his Steelers debut, a 34–32 victory over the New York Jets, he caught five passes for 15 yards and a touchdown. He later added a rushing touchdown against the Dolphins in a Monday Night Football win, signaling a continued red-zone role in Pittsburgh’s offense.
Driving Style and Strengths
Smith is recognized for his combination of size, athleticism, and receiving ability at the tight end position. He has consistently produced in the red zone, tying a career high of eight receiving touchdowns in 2024, and has shown versatility by contributing as a runner on designed plays. His comfort in two-tight-end sets and his rapport with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith have been central to his usage across multiple teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Smith’s career is his one-handed touchdown catch against the Baltimore Ravens in the 2019 Divisional Round, as well as his first Pro Bowl selection in 2024. He has also played in the AFC Championship Game with the Titans following the 2019 season, and has scored touchdowns with each of the four NFL franchises he has represented.
Jonnu Smith Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Smith is the youngest of six children raised by his mother, Karen Smith, in North Philadelphia after the death of his father, Wayne Smith. He has frequently credited his mother’s strength as the foundation of his personal and professional life. Smith is a practicing Christian and has spoken publicly about the central role of faith in his daily life and career.
Smith has a son named Jaiyen, whose middle name, Quasim, honors his late childhood best friend, Willie Quasim Jefferson, who died from a gunshot in October 2016. Smith has also competed in weightlifting, finishing second in his county in the 219-pound weight class during high school.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Smith’s first year with the Pittsburgh Steelers following his June trade from the Miami Dolphins. Operating once again under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, he has continued to serve as a key red-zone weapon, opening the year with a touchdown reception against the New York Jets in the Steelers’ 34–32 road victory. He added another score on the ground in a Monday Night Football win over the Dolphins, reinforcing his value as a short-yardage and goal-line contributor.
While the Steelers have leaned on Smith primarily as a complementary piece within their passing game, his early production suggests a consistent role in the offense going forward. With the team competing in a competitive AFC North, Smith’s veteran presence and scoring ability are likely to remain central to Pittsburgh’s offensive plans as the season progresses.