The Pittsburgh Steelers are going through a quiet offensive reshuffle. After a lot of offseason drama on their quarterback position, Mike Tomlin‘s franchise finally inked the name many were expecting. Aaron Rodgers signed a one-year deal and ended the long-term QB chit-chat for the Steel City. But has the problem been solved? Uh…perhaps, not! Tomlin and the team still require a weapon to help push their game to a positive end. And that requirement is for a reliable tight end.

After Donald Parham went down Tuesday with what looks like a season-ending Achilles injury, the Steelers didn’t waste time. According to the reports, they’ve already started trade talks, trying to figure out their next move to fill the gap. And, one name that can stabilize it is that of Jonnu Smith. Smith’s potential arrival in Pittsburgh can prove to be a game-changer for the Steelers. The 6’3″, 248-lbs tight end thrived under Arthur Smith in Tennessee and Atlanta, and the fit with the Steelers is hard to ignore.

This was also mentioned in a June 5 segment of The Breer Report. Insider Albert Breer floated a scenario that could send the veteran tight end from Miami to Pittsburgh, reuniting him with his former head coach. The NFL insider teasingly dubbed TE Smith a “secret weapon” for Aaron Rodgers, if the veteran QB reports to training camp as expected. He adds, “If Aaron Rodgers does show up next week… this move would give the Steelers and Arthur Smith… a lot of flexibility to do a lot of different things offensively.”

The flexibility he talks about is Smith’s ability to perform across multiple sets, allowing the Steelers to handle 12 and 11 personnel, disguise play-action looks, and exploit coverage mismatches. Especially in red zone or short-yardage situations, Smith can give Pittsburgh a new dimension. Additionally, OC has schemed him into open space and moved him across formations in Titans’ time. So, Breer remarked, “Arthur Smith knows how to use him. So it would make all the sense in the world…..You could move him around a bunch.” All in all, as per him, if Pittsburgh brings Smith as an “another option offensively for Aaron Rodgers,” it might give “Arthur Smith a little bit more flexibility in how he builds his group for 2025.”

On the other hand, Dolphins are prioritizing financial flexibility and roster youth after the exit of the veterans. Breer added, “They’re going to need to get younger over the next couple of years… it makes sense for Miami.” Trading Jonnu Smith will free cap space, allowing them to go for a valuable draft pick. Hence, Breer remarked, “I don’t think the Dolphins are actively looking to move Jonnu Smith… But it would make some sense based on where they are.” What makes sense to Miami might be gold to Pittsburgh!

With George Pickens gone and young player Roman Wilson still learning the moves, the receiver room is thin. DK Metcalf is a strength, no doubt. But defenses can key on him if there’s no second name to back him up. Pat Freiermuth is locked in as the in-line tight end, but Smith’s dynamic ability could unlock more opportunities. As Breer remarks, “They’ve already got a very functional high-end wide tight end in Pat Freiermuth… Jonnu Smith would not have to play in-line.” But still, who will want to miss an opportunity to add depth to the roster?

Tight End Room Set for major changes for Aaron Rodgers

Everyone’s watching Aaron Rodgers. But while Pittsburgh’s QB situation is in the spotlight, it’s the tight end room that’s quietly stealing the show. As we discussed, we have Jonnu Smith in the mix, coming off a career-best year in Miami. “He’s open to the right situation,” agent Drew Rosenhaus said.

But if the Steelers want future value over veteran push, Michael Mayer can be considered. The Raiders’ 2023 second-rounder is giving his best at OTAs, but is buried behind Brock Bowers. That has left Mayer, who once went No. 35 overall, as the odd man out. He is nonetheless young, cheap, tough, and also fits the Arthur Smith mold.

Sure, Pat Freiermuth just signed a 4-year, $48.4 million deal. But, is he the ultimate TE for the Steelers? In 2024, he recorded 65 receptions, 7 touchdowns, and a PFF Grade at 70.0 (22nd among TEs). He is good, but is he “good” enough is the real question.

Meanwhile, Connor Heyward is up 10 pounds. At 240 pounds now, Connor Heyward is morphing into Pittsburgh’s own version of Kyle Juszczyk. “My senior year, I played at 240. I was blocking some bigger guys, so just really hitting the weight room with Cam,” Connor said. “Feels like I’m back in that groove.” Arthur Smith prefers a movable H-back, and Heyward is built for it. He is not TE1, but he matters in this offense.

So, all in all, for Mike Tomlin and the team, this isn’t just about TE1. It’s about Rodgers having guys who block, break tackles, and bail him out on 3rd-and-7. Hence, they are certainly keeping tabs on Jonnu Smith and Michael Mayer, who offer long-term value, especially now that they are stuck behind with no extension. There are also WR2 still on the radar, as Terry McLaurin is holding out in Washington, and Gabe Davis was brought in for a look, but there was no apparent deal. So, it is yet to be seen how Pittsburgh will load up the roster!