Jonnu Smith Joins the Green Bay Packers
Jonnu Smith is the newest veteran addition to the Green Bay Packers’ tight end room. Green Bay agreed to a one-year contract with Smith on August 27, 2026, giving the experienced tight end another opportunity to contribute in the NFL.
The signing comes at an important time for Green Bay. The Packers have been dealing with uncertainty at tight end, with Luke Musgrave sidelined by a neck injury and Tucker Kraft continuing his recovery from a torn ACL.
Smith brings 141 games of NFL experience to Green Bay. He has played for the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Packers.
Jonnu Smith Packers Contract
Smith signed a one-year contract with the Green Bay Packers in August 2026. The initial reports confirmed the length of the deal, although full financial terms were not immediately disclosed.
Because Smith is a veteran player, his contract situation also has an important roster implication. Reports indicate that his salary would become fully guaranteed if he remains on the roster through Week 1.
This is a low-risk move for Green Bay. Rather than committing to a multi-year contract, the Packers get an experienced tight end who can provide depth and potentially contribute immediately.
How Old Is Jonnu Smith?
Jonnu Smith is 31 years old.
He was born on August 22, 1995, in Ocala, Florida. He played college football at Florida International before entering the NFL.
Smith entered the NFL in 2017 when the Tennessee Titans selected him in the third round with the 100th overall pick.
His age means Green Bay is not signing Smith as a long-term building block. Instead, his value comes from experience, versatility and the ability to provide reliable depth at a position that currently needs it.
Is Jonnu Smith Good?
Yes, Jonnu Smith is still a capable NFL tight end, although he is no longer coming off the best statistical season of his career.
His strongest recent campaign came in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins. Smith recorded 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns, all career-best receiving totals. He also earned his first Pro Bowl selection that season.
His 2025 season with Pittsburgh was considerably quieter. Smith finished with 38 catches, 222 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games.
That decline makes his Packers role difficult to project. However, his 2024 production shows that Smith can still be productive when an offense gives him opportunities.
What Does Jonnu Smith Bring to Green Bay?
Smith’s biggest strength is versatility.
He is a mobile tight end who can line up in different positions rather than functioning strictly as a traditional in-line blocker. That flexibility can help an offense create mismatches against linebackers and safeties.
He also has experience in several offensive systems. His NFL career has included stops with five teams before his move to Green Bay, giving him considerable experience adapting to different schemes.
The Packers can therefore use him as an experienced rotational option while their younger tight ends return to full health.
Jonnu Smith 2025 Stats
Smith’s 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers produced:
- 17 games
- 38 receptions
- 222 receiving yards
- 2 touchdowns
- 5.8 yards per reception
Those numbers were significantly below his 2024 production with Miami.
For his entire NFL career through the 2025 season, Smith has accumulated 345 receptions, 3,529 receiving yards and 30 receiving touchdowns in 141 games.
Jonnu Smith Fantasy Outlook
Fantasy managers should be cautious about adding Smith simply because he signed with Green Bay.
The Packers’ current tight end situation makes the move interesting, but Smith’s fantasy value will depend heavily on playing time and the health of the other tight ends.
NBC Sports Fantasy currently views Smith as a depth option rather than a major fantasy target. The expectation is that he will remain behind Tucker Kraft if Kraft is healthy.
FantasyPros similarly describes Smith as depth behind Kraft following the signing.
Should You Draft Jonnu Smith?
In standard fantasy leagues, Jonnu Smith is better viewed as a late-round option or waiver-wire player rather than a must-draft tight end.
His fantasy appeal increases if:
- Tucker Kraft suffers a setback.
- Luke Musgrave remains unavailable.
- Smith receives significant receiving snaps.
- Green Bay uses him heavily in the passing game.
His 2024 season demonstrates his upside, but his 2025 production is a reminder that consistent fantasy production should not be assumed.
Jonnu Smith Fantasy Value: 2026
Smith’s fantasy value can be described as situational.
If Green Bay’s other tight ends are healthy, Smith could struggle to receive enough targets to become a dependable fantasy starter. However, injuries could quickly change his role.
That makes him more attractive in deeper leagues, best-ball formats and leagues with multiple starting tight ends.
Fantasy managers should monitor Green Bay’s preseason usage and the team’s final depth chart before making a significant investment.
Jonnu Smith Career Stats
Smith has produced solid numbers throughout his nine-year NFL career.
His career receiving totals through 2025 include:
| Category | Career |
|---|---|
| Games | 141 |
| Receptions | 345 |
| Receiving yards | 3,529 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 30 |
| Yards per reception | 10.2 |
His career has also included several productive seasons. In 2020 with Tennessee, he caught 41 passes for 448 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2023 with Atlanta, he posted 50 receptions for 582 yards and three touchdowns. Then came his breakout 2024 season in Miami.
Why Did the Packers Sign Jonnu Smith?
The Packers’ decision appears closely connected to their current tight end situation.
Tucker Kraft is recovering from ACL surgery, while Luke Musgrave has been dealing with a neck injury. That creates a need for experienced depth.
Smith gives Green Bay a veteran who can step into the offense without needing to develop from scratch.
He also has a previous connection with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. Smith worked with LaFleur during his time with the Tennessee Titans, adding familiarity to the move.
Jonnu Smith and the Packers: What to Expect
The most realistic expectation is that Smith will begin as a rotational tight end and provide insurance behind Green Bay’s younger options.
If Kraft is fully healthy, Smith may not receive enough targets to become a major part of the passing attack. However, if injuries continue affecting the position, his role could expand quickly.
His experience also gives Green Bay another veteran presence during the season.
Final Verdict: Is Jonnu Smith Worth Watching?
Yes, but mainly as a depth and situational fantasy option.
Jonnu Smith has proven that he can be an effective NFL receiving tight end. His 2024 Pro Bowl season with Miami showed the upside he can still provide when heavily involved. However, his much smaller 2025 role with Pittsburgh means fantasy managers should not automatically expect a return to those numbers.
For the Packers, the signing makes sense because it adds experience and insurance to a tight end room dealing with injuries.
For fantasy football, Smith is worth monitoring, especially if Tucker Kraft or Luke Musgrave remains unavailable. If Green Bay’s tight end depth chart clears up, however, Smith’s fantasy ceiling will likely remain limited.
FAQs
Is Jonnu Smith on the Green Bay Packers?
Yes. The Packers signed Jonnu Smith to a one-year contract on August 27, 2026.
How old is Jonnu Smith?
Jonnu Smith is 31 years old. He was born August 22, 1995.
What is Jonnu Smith’s contract with the Packers?
Smith signed a one-year deal with Green Bay. Full financial details were not immediately disclosed in the initial reports.
Is Jonnu Smith good?
Smith is a capable veteran tight end with proven receiving ability. He made the Pro Bowl in 2024 after producing 88 receptions, 884 yards and eight touchdowns for Miami.
Is Jonnu Smith good for fantasy football?
He is currently more of a depth or waiver-wire fantasy option than a dependable starter. His fantasy value could increase if Green Bay’s other tight ends miss time.
What are Jonnu Smith’s career stats?
Through the 2025 season, Smith has 345 receptions for 3,529 yards and 30 touchdowns in 141 games.
Conclusion
Jonnu Smith’s move to the Green Bay Packers gives the veteran tight end another opportunity to contribute in the NFL. His one-year contract provides Green Bay with experienced depth at a position affected by injuries.
At 31, Smith is not necessarily a long-term solution, but his previous production shows that he can still make an impact when given opportunities. For fantasy football managers, the key will be his role behind Tucker Kraft and the health of Green Bay’s other tight ends.
For now, Jonnu Smith is worth monitoring rather than aggressively drafting, but his fantasy value could rise quickly if his role expands.
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