New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel reunited with wideout A.J. Brown, one of his former Tennessee Titans players; he could vouch for another in Jonnu Smith.
The Titans drafted Smith before they hired Vrabel, but he recorded 76 receptions for 887 yards and 11 touchdowns over his last two years in Tennessee. In 2020, the pass-catching tight end finished second on the team in touchdown receptions with eight.
Just two years ago, Smith hauled in 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns in a Pro Bowl year with the Miami Dolphins. Within the Pittsburgh Steelers’ crowded tight end room, he had a down year, recording 38 receptions for 222 yards and two touchdowns. That said, the 30-year-old would likely have more pass-catching opportunities in New England.
Patriots’ backup tight end Julian Hill suffered a knee injury that will sideline him for the 2026 season. New England can add Smith while the coaching staff develops rookie third-rounder Eli Raridon as the future at the position.
Smith would be a more dynamic secondary tight end than Austin Hooper, who caught 21 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns with the team last year. The Patriots can pair him with Hunter Henry to field a more productive pass-catching tight end duo in 2026.