Former Patriots bust is having the season of his life, makes history with new team

Jonnu Smith is having the season of his life down with the Miami Dolphins.

While Smith is remembered as a bust with the New England Patriots, the tight end has been a revelation down in Miami. On Sunday, he set broke the franchise’s single-season record for receptions and receiving yards for a tight end. That record was previously held by former Dolphins tight end Randy McMichael.

Through 15 games, Smith has posted career highs in receptions (76), receiving yards (802) and touchdowns (6).

Coming off Sunday’s win against the San Francisco 49ers, the 29-year-old tight end reflected on his breakout season, which he admits is coming rather late in his career.

“This is the first time that I’ve been able to really come into my own in my career and it’s Year 8,” Smith said. “And God’s timing is perfect, not complaining about anything, anything in my past.”

Smith is remembered in New England. The dynamic tight end signed with the Patriots as a highly prized free agent, signing a four-year, $50 million deal. However, he failed to eclipse 30 catches or 300 yards in a season.

In 2023, the Patriots traded Smith to Atlanta, where he had a resurgent season. The tight end caught 50 passes for 582 yards with the Falcons, which had been career highs.

But things are a whole lot different now for Smith now that he’s in Miami.

“I hang my hat on the word of God,” Smith said. “As man can plant and man can water, but it’s God that gives the increase. So I can put all the work in, stay after practice like I do. I work my butt off, man, because I understand I’ve been given a gift.”

Smith started his career in Tennessee, where he flashed potential as an athletic, versatile tight end. The Patriots had hoped to make the most of that potential. But amidst myriad other issues in a floundering offense, Smith never quite put it together.

Now with Miami, Smith has become the player Patriots fans had hoped he’d be. After setting the Dolphins franchise record Sunday, Smith gave the credit to his coaches, particularly tight ends coach Jon Embree.

“Just him holding me to certain standards like that and having that in the back of my mind, I never really had that push in my career and I had a lot of great coaches and been able to build a lot of great relationships, but Jon Embree has been a huge part of all my success.”

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