In news significant to some on Tuesday, the Atlanta Falcons made a roster move. The Falcons parted ways with veteran tight end Jonnu Smith after arguably one of the 28-year-old’s best seasons yet.
Smith, who had one year left on his deal, will see his tenure end with the Falcons after only one year. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the news on Tuesday afternoon.
“Falcons are releasing veteran tight end Jonnu Smith,” Schefter posted.
Falcons are releasing veteran tight end Jonnu Smith, per source.
Smith caught 50 passes for 532 yards and three touchdowns last season. pic.twitter.com/gMRSE6jCKi
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 27, 2024
In 2023, Smith recorded 50 receptions – a career-high – for 582 yards. He scored three receiving touchdowns a year after going scoreless with the New England Patriots. Smith signed a two-year deal with the Falcons last offseason and earned $8.5 million this season. The team will eat $2.5 million in dead cap next season following the release.
It’s probably not the end of the line for the 28-year-old Smith. He’s shown enough talent and promise as a No. 2 tight end throughout his career that he likely still has enough legs to stand on. After all, his 50 receptions last season were a career-high, besting the 41 he recorded in 2020 with the Tennessee Titans. That season, Smith posted a career-best eight receiving touchdowns as well. That earned him a contract with the Patriots, where he played for two seasons.
The Falcons might look quite different next season. Atlanta hired Raheem Morris to replace Arthur Smith as head coach. They’ve made a few changes elsewhere, and might draft a quarterback this April. So we’ll see where everything lands for them.
The NFL world had plenty to say about this roster move.
Falcons releasing Jonnu Smith, per @AdamSchefter … Atlanta saves a bunch of cap space, as I explain in the story https://t.co/3LpttreI4G
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) February 27, 2024
Steelers are gonna run some crazy 12 and 13 looks next year imo https://t.co/n68CkYKY6v
— Liz a Bayley n NewJeans n AshbyElegance n cody fan (@freedompimp2012) February 27, 2024
Kyle Pitts running free https://t.co/lz9EuqXkn2
— Chris Osborn (@hitmen99) February 27, 2024
Arthur Smith rn https://t.co/EUe6WX6b3L pic.twitter.com/jvKPGtMI5O
— #RingerNFL (@ringernfl) February 27, 2024
george pickens get ready to speak 15 snaps per game buddy https://t.co/kUSSovPZuW
— anthony chiado (@atchiado) February 27, 2024
Smith is someone I could see the Dolphins being interested in. He excels after the catch which is something McDaniel is likely looking for at TE. https://t.co/G0ocVxVM8K
— Finscentral (@finscentral) February 27, 2024
