MIAMI GARDENS — I’m rooting for Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith in his desire to get more money.
Smith is the best No. 3 receiving option the Dolphins have had in three years under coach Mike McDaniel.
The Dolphins might not want to re-do his contract, but they can’t afford to lose him.
Smith has the Dolphins, and specifically McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier, in a tough spot.
Losing Smith, the Dolphins’ best receiving option after wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, would be a crushing blow to the offense, which is the team’s best hope for having a winning season and retaining McDaniel and Grier.
By the way, for the record, neither McDaniel nor Grier should be back if the Dolphins don’t win a playoff game. They blew their best opportunity to win a playoff game in 2023. If they couldn’t win with the best talent this franchise has had in the past 20 years, why would you think they’ll do better with lesser talent?
But I digress …
I’m happy for Smith. He’s doing the right thing.
I hope he gets everything he wants financially. He deserves it. He’s put together back-to-back impressive seasons in Atlanta and Miami, playing both years on team-friendly deals. It’s time to get paid.
Smith had a team-best 88 receptions in 2024, which also established a Dolphins franchise record for tight ends.
Smith’s eight receiving touchdowns led the team, and his 884 yards receiving were No. 2 on the team.
Yet it took a while for McDaniel to utilize Smith’s skills.
It was a common occurrence early last season for me to walk through the Dolphins locker room, and look toward Smith while he was sitting at his locker.
Sometimes I’d wonder aloud to Smith why they didn’t use him more. Other times I wouldn’t say anything. I’d shake my head, and shrug my shoulders, palms facing the ceiling. Smith would just smile and shake his head.
Late in the season, when it was obvious Smith was an offensive force, I told him I’d lead his Pro Bowl campaign. He laughed and said he appreciated it.
Smith, who played collegiately locally at Florida International University, was such a great addition last year that he’s now a huge key to a successful offensive season.
The Dolphins are way out of sync right now. There’s a huge imbalance.
The Dolphins offense is in “win-now” mode.
It made numerous “win-now” offseason additions, including a new assistant coach (Bobby Slowik), three quarterbacks (Zach Wilson, Quinn Ewers and Brett Gabbert), two guards (James Daniels and Jonah Savaiinaea) and two running backs (Alexander Mattison and Ollie Gordon II).
The Dolphins defense, however, is in rebuilding mode.
It will be without two future Hall of Famers in cornerback Jalen Ramsey and defensive tackle Calais Campbell as well as last year’s starting safeties, Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer. And it lacks a No. 1 cornerback.
The Dolphins need Smith because he helps carry the offense.
And you know the numbers on this one-dimensional offense:
— Over the past two years the Dolphins are 11-0 when Tyreek has 100 or more yards, and 7-16 (.304) when he has 99 or fewer;
— Over the past two years Miami is 8-11 (.421) when it rushes for 100 or more yards, and 11-5 (.688) when it rushes for 99 or fewer.
What does that mean? It means the Dolphins win when Tyreek has 100 or more yards receiving. That’s it.
Rushing success doesn’t lead them to victories. Defense doesn’t lead them to victories. It’s Tyreek.
By the way, if Tyreek is traded, the rebuild is officially on.
If Tyreek stays, this team, led by its offense, is still trying to win a playoff game.
But the offense obviously needs to diversify, and Smith helps greatly.
Without Smith, the Dolphins tight ends have no receiving threat among Julian Hill, Pharaoh Brown and Tanner Conner.
Smith, who turns 30 in August, is cashing in on the last and best opportunity he’ll have to make money in the NFL.
And here’s the key to Smith’s request: timing.
Smith was smart enough to get in line ahead of edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, the 2021 first-round pick playing on his fifth-year option, running back De’Von Achane, the 2023 third-round pick playing the third year of his four-year contract, and defensive tackle Zach Sieler, who turns 30 in September, has back-to-back seasons of 10 sacks, and has two years remaining on his deal.
The Dolphins must make a decision on Phillips at season’s end, and if he has a big year he’ll get lots of money. If the Dolphins are smart they’ll get ahead of the curve on Achane, who will also get lots of money if he has a big year. And if the Dolphins want to be proactive, they’ll also lock up Sieler.
Smith realizes all of this, and he’s claiming his place at the front of the line.
The fact that the Dolphins are in a financial squeeze is mostly due to those ill-advised contract extensions awarded 2024 to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Hill and Ramsey. Those were all unnecessary. All three of them.
And because of those deals, the Dolphins have little money left to make meaningful improvements.
I don’t know how things will end with Smith’s desire to get more money, but I’m on his side.
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