Help is on the way for the Green Bay Packers’ tight end room, as veteran Jonnu Smith is reportedly signing a one-year deal with Green Bay, according to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.
Smith, who just turned 31, spent last season playing with Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was coached by Matt LaFleur when the now-Packers head coach was the offensive coordinator for the Titans back in 2018.
The Packers were in need of reinforcements at the tight end position as Luke Musgrave is still on the PUP list with a neck issue, and there is currently no established timetable for his return.
Behind Tucker Kraft, who is one of the stars of Green Bay’s offense, they have therefore been relying on unproven options like Josh Whyle, Drake Dabney and
Messiah Swinson to carry the load throughout training camp, and no one has really grabbed the opportunity.
Perhaps it is not a coincidence that the day after Jordan Love threw two interceptions when targeting tight ends in the joint practice against the Cardinals on Wednesday, the Packers have decided to get serious and turn to a veteran option.
Smith has nine years of experience in the NFL, racking up over 3,600 yards and 31 touchdowns in his career.
He only had 221 yards and two scores in Pittsburgh a year ago, but playing for Mike McDaniel with Miami in 2024, who like LaFleur is an offshoot of the Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay coaching tree, Smith posted 886 yards and eight touchdowns on his way to the only Pro Bowl nod of his career.
A versatile tight end, Smith has been used in creative ways during his career, including with the Dolphins, and he even had nine rushing attempts with the Steelers last season.
General manager Brian Gutekunst mentioned after the draft back in April that they had hoped to be able to add a tight end, but it did not transpire. That was in part due to an unusual run of picks at the position on day two, as the NFL embraces more multiple-tight-end sets.
He intimated they were seeking more of a traditional Y tight end who could help as a blocker.
That is not Smith, who has not had a PFF run block grade higher than 45.2 since 2020, but LaFleur should have some fun cooking up ways to get him the ball, and the combination of Kraft and Smith could be intriguing.
His signing follows a trend of the Packers showing more of a willingness to sign older players than in previous seasons.
Smith is the fourth player entering their age 30 season or older to be acquired since the start of the offseason. He follows Javon Hargrave, Zaire Franklin and Tyrod Taylor, and becomes the only offensive skill position player over the age of 29.
The signing of Smith is another signal the Packers are not content to sit on their hands this year as they look to push for a Super Bowl.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers signing veteran tight end Jonnu Smith to one-year deal
