The Steelers traded for him last offseason, put him in an offense that generated almost no rhythm for pass catchers, and he finished 2025 with 38 catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns before Pittsburgh released him in March.
He is now the best available tight end on the free agency market and is looking at a one-year deal in the $5 million range.
Three landing spots make the most sense.
Denver Broncos
Denver is a natural fit, and the scheme argument might be the best of any landing spot on this list.
The Broncos got just three touchdowns from their tight end position in 2025, and Adam Trautman and Evan Engram are set to lead the group again next season.
Jonnu Smith is still a free agent. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/arRuwxDHbQ
— Pats Planet 🪐 (@PatsPlanet_) June 10, 2026
Sean Payton's offense is built around catch-and-run routes in the middle of the field, which is Smith's bread and butter, and the comparison to Engram as a profile (bigger body, in-line capable, flexible alignment), makes the fit really nice on paper.
Bo Nix would benefit from a proven veteran target over the middle, and Smith's history of elevating quarterback performance in the right environment gives Denver a legitimate reason to call.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns are the most need-based fit.
David Njoku signed with the Chargers in free agency, leaving Cleveland with Harold Fannin Jr. as their lone reliable tight end option.
Just in: The #Steelers are releasing TE Jonnu Smith, saving $7M in salary cap space, per @AdamSchefter.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 5, 2026
Smith had 38 catches, 222 yards and 2 TDs in his one season with Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/qT7Sw8Kguw
Fannin had an excellent rookie season with 72 catches for 731 yards and seven touchdowns, but the depth behind him consists of Jack Stoll and fifth-round rookie Joe Royer.
Smith gives the Browns exactly what they lost in Njoku: a bigger receiving body who can play in-line, move across formations, and be a reliable chain-mover behind a feature tight end.
New York Giants
Bleacher Report's Alex Kay named the Giants an underrated landing spot.
New York signed Isaiah Likely in free agency and has Theo Johnson developing, but adding Smith unlocks the kind of multi-tight-end personnel groupings that John Harbaugh built his Ravens offenses around throughout his career.
Harbaugh's history of leveraging tight end depth to create favorable matchups is well established, and Smith's versatility as both a receiver and a blocker fits that system well.
At a veteran minimum or modest one-year deal, the investment is low enough that the Giants can absorb it without affecting their other offseason priorities.
Photo Credit: © Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
