The Packers’ tight end room has been dealing with injuries and roster uncertainty. Tucker Kraft is coming back from a torn ACL, and Luke Musgrave is on the physically unable to perform list due to a neck injury. Green Bay moved to add a seasoned player who has experience starting games and contributing in multiple roles.
What happened in New England?
Smith arrived in New England as part of an aggressive 2021 free-agent push, signing a four-year, $50 million contract that included $31.25 million guaranteed. At the time, the average annual value of roughly $12.5 million placed him among the top players at the position. The Patriots were targeting an upgrade at tight end after a 2020 season in which no player at the position caught more than 14 passes.
Smith had joined the Patriots from Tennessee after a standout season with 41 receptions, 448 yards and eight touchdowns. Belichick praised him for his after-the-catch ability, calling him “one of the best in the league” in January 2020. In quick succession, New England added Hunter Henry to form a two-tight-end approach featuring complementary athletes.
With the Patriots, Smith totaled 28 receptions for 294 yards and one touchdown in 2021, plus 40 rushing yards on nine attempts. In 2022, he posted 27 catches for 245 yards and no touchdowns in 14 games. In total with New England, he had 55 receptions, 539 yards and one touchdown across 30 appearances. As his role evolved, Henry became the more frequent receiving option, while Smith saw more blocking duties and designed touches.
New England traded Smith to Atlanta in March 2023, in a move that cleared cap space and reshaped his contract. The deal sent a seventh-round pick to the Patriots and included a restructuring of Smith’s deal.
Why Green Bay Wanted Him
Smith revived his career in Atlanta under coach Arthur Smith, who previously coached him in Tennessee and knew how to use him. In 2023 with the Falcons, he posted 50 catches, 582 yards and three touchdowns. The next season, he joined the Dolphins, where he earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2024, logging 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns.
He continued to contribute in 2024 and 2025, including a Thanksgiving game at Lambeau Field in which he recorded 10 receptions for 113 yards. Across his career, Smith has totaled 345 receptions, 3,529 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns in 141 games with Tennessee, New England, Atlanta, Miami and Pittsburgh.
Last season with the Steelers, Smith was part of a crowded tight end group, recording 38 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns. He has not missed a game since 2022, demonstrating durability that remains appealing to a team seeking depth.
The Packers see Smith as a versatile option who can provide depth behind Kraft, enable two-tight-end flexibility, and offer a proven receiving option if Kraft’s recovery or Musgrave’s neck injury issues become more significant. Green Bay’s decision to add Smith aligns with a plan to strengthen the position without displacing the younger players already on the roster.
Overall, Smith’s journey has been marked by resilience and adaptability, moving from the Titans to the Patriots, then Atlanta, Miami, and Pittsburgh, and now landing in Green Bay. His combination of receiving ability and blocking versatility makes him a valuable depth piece as the Packers navigate a season that could hinge on tight end contributions and the health of key players around them.
Note: The above content is a rewritten, original article and does not reference or cite any external publisher or source. It preserves the essential facts and context of Jonnu Smith’s career moves and current signing with Green Bay.
