Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith Traded to Steelers in Blockbuster Dolphins Deal

On the final day of June, the Miami Dolphins made a splash by moving cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

While dealing Ramsey was not surprising given the public nature in which both sides discussed their desire to part ways, it was different for Smith, who made his first public comments on the trade Wednesday night and stated that it was not what he expected at the end of the season.

On the podcast of former Dolphins offensive tackle Terron Armstead, Smith stated, “I didn’t foresee this happening with how the season went for me individually.” “I understand the business side of things, and it didn’t work out. I’m glad. I have no bad feelings against Miami or anybody in the organization. Of course, I had dreams to finish my career there, with Miami essentially being home for me, my kids, and my family.

“I can’t sit here and lie and say it didn’t sting when the process was playing itself out.”

Smith recently had his first Pro Bowl season in Miami. He accumulated 884 yards on 88 catches and eight touchdowns, setting franchise records for tight ends. It was a major jump for him in his eighth year after never having more than 582 yards before, coming into the limelight when injuries to Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle, as well as Tyreek Hill’s problems, halted Miami’s once-powerful offence.

Many athletes would expect such a performance to result in a pay raise or extension, and Smith was hoping to get such recognition in the form of a wage increase for the second season of his two-year contract with the Dolphins.

“We go through the year, bro, and obviously as a team it was a disappointment, and that does play a factor in a lot of decision-making after the season,” Smith adds. “But, for me, I felt that I was in a position to make a substantial contribution to the club’s success. And after the season, my agent and I said, “This is a no-brainer; we’ll stay here forever.”

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