Packers Sign Jonnu Smith to One-Year Deal Following 222-Yard Steelers Season

The Green Bay Packers signed veteran tight end Jonnu Smith to a one-year contract to bolster a depth chart impacted by Luke Musgrave's neck injury.

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers finalized a one-year contract with veteran tight end Jonnu Smith on Thursday, August 27, 2026. Smith, a 31-year-old former Pro Bowler, arrives in Wisconsin following a 17-game campaign with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he secured 38 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Rosenhaus Sports, the agency representing the athlete, verified the transaction via social media at 12:15 PM ET as the organization prepares for its September 13 season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Key details

General Manager Brian Gutekunst moved to secure the veteran pass-catcher to address significant health deficits within the position group. Starter Tucker Kraft is currently rehabilitating from ACL surgery, though internal projections suggest he will be active for the Week 1 contest at U.S. Bank Stadium. The necessity for a proven veteran intensified after Luke Musgrave sustained a neck injury during the June minicamp sessions. Musgrave failed to participate in any training camp practices and remains designated on the physically unable to perform list.

Prior to this acquisition, the Packers' depth chart featured Josh Whyle as the primary experienced reserve. Whyle’s statistical footprint from the previous season includes five catches across eight appearances. The remaining personnel consisted of Drake Dabney, an undrafted prospect who has logged participation in only two professional contests. Smith immediately ascends to the role of most seasoned backup, carrying a resume that spans five different NFL franchises and multiple postseason appearances.

Statistical peaks for the Florida International product occurred two seasons ago during his tenure with the Miami Dolphins. That Pro Bowl-caliber year saw him amass a career-best 884 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. His transition to the AFC North occurred last summer through a blockbuster trade involving the Dolphins, which also featured defensive stalwarts Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jalen Ramsey changing teams.

Latest developments

The Steelers opted to terminate Smith’s contract prior to the start of the new league year to facilitate a salary cap savings of approximately $7 million. This release ended his brief stint in Pittsburgh and allowed him to enter free agency. His professional journey began in 2017 when the Tennessee Titans selected him in the third round of the NFL Draft, leading to a four-year stay in Nashville where he established himself as a reliable red-zone target.

Following his initial contract in Tennessee, the tight end signed a lucrative deal with the New England Patriots, where he spent two seasons. His career trajectory then included single-year stops with the Atlanta Falcons and the aforementioned Dolphins before his 2025 season in Pittsburgh. Green Bay marks the sixth destination for the veteran, who has now played for three different AFC teams and three NFC organizations.

Rob Demovsky, an ESPN reporter who has covered the franchise since 1997, noted that Smith’s 38 catches from last year significantly outweigh the combined career production of the healthy reserves currently on the roster. The addition provides a stabilizing force for a unit that has struggled with availability throughout the summer months. By adding a player with 17 games of recent starting experience, the front office has mitigated the risk associated with Musgrave’s indefinite absence and Kraft’s ongoing recovery process.

Smith’s arrival coincides with the final roster cutdown period, ensuring he has roughly two weeks to integrate into the offensive system before the trip to Minneapolis. His ability to contribute as both a blocker and a receiver offers head coach Matt LaFleur tactical flexibility that was previously missing due to the youth of the backup corps. The one-year nature of the agreement aligns with the team's current cap structure while providing immediate insurance for the 2026 season.