A 2023 trade reunited Jonnu Smith with then-Falcons HC Arthur Smith. With a new coaching staff in Atlanta, the Falcons will move on from the veteran tight end.
For a second straight offseason, Smith will be changing teams. The Falcons will release the seventh-year veteran, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Smith enjoyed a productive 2023 season and will certainly generate interest on the market. This will be his first time in free agency since 2021.
Smith totaled career-high numbers in receptions (50) and receiving yards (582) last season, adding three touchdowns in what was again a low-wattage Falcons passing attack. With Arthur Smith now in Pittsburgh and Zac Robinson set to call plays in Atlanta, the Falcons will move on from their experienced Kyle Pitts sidekick.
The Falcons will pick up $6.5MM in cap space by making this cut, which will push their total to nearly $40MM. The team had reworked Smith’s contract upon acquiring him last year and stands to gain a chunk of cap room as a result of making him a one-and-done in Atlanta.
Pitts remains tied to his rookie deal, though the former No. 4 overall pick is now extension-eligible. By picking up Pitts’ fifth-year option, the Falcons can extend his rookie contract through 2025. With Pitts being a one-time Pro Bowler, it will cost the Falcons $10.88MM to exercise the option.
Pitts and Smith formed one of the NFL’s top tight end tandems last season, combining to catch 103 passes for more than 1,200 yards. Smith finished the season as the Falcons’ third-leading receiver — behind Drake London and Pitts — and bounced back from his Patriots seasons. After commanding a lucrative deal as a free agent in 2021, Smith did not exceed 300 receiving yards in either of his two New England seasons alongside Hunter Henry.
Jonnu Smith did eclipse 400 yards in each of Arthur Smith’s two seasons as Titans OC. The Steelers rostering Pat Freiermuth and third-round pick Darnell Washington makes another reunion harder to envision, but given the success the 28-year-old pass catcher has achieved on the play-caller’s watch, it would seemingly not be out of the question.
Why not follow Smith one more time. Can never have enough TE
Bengals? Their tight ends were mediocre at best last year.
Not only were their tight ends mediocre last year, but if I’m not mistaken, they have zero tight ends currently under contract for next season.
You are right. Tanner Hudson was probably the best of the lot, but that wasn’t saying much. Should have kept Hayden Hurst. I’m not sure but I think Uzomah was cut from the Jets or is expected to be, wouldn’t surprise me to see him back in the fold
I don’t think the Bengals needed to match the kind of money Carolina gave Hurst. Uzomah hasn’t been cut yet, but I’m guessing he will be. Even if he is, he’s never going to replicate the career year he had last season he was in Cincinnati. He couldn’t be the whole plan.
They could be in a good spot for Bowers but I agree. Another good fit is Rams or Saints. Both tight end friendly offenses imo
I would be really surprised if Bowers fell out of the top fifteen.
Me too but I think tight ends have gotten more love recently. Two first rounders Laporta and Kincaid had solid rookie years. Pitts was number 4 overall just 3 years ago
Other than running back – I think TE is the next position that is valued less than any others. That said- Bowers could fall to top 20ish.
As a Bengals fan, I would have rather Jonnu Smith than Irv Smith … wow what a waste that was
I was shocked lol Irv did nothing especially compared to Hurst who I personally think bengals should have kept for at least 2 years. lol Brock would be amazing compared to Tee and Jamarr. I think you guys are set to lose Boyd though and I can’t see Mixon taking another pay cut
All things being equal, you’re right about the tight end position, but Bowers is the best tight end prospect we’ve seen enter the league in years, with the only exception being Pitts–and Bowers is actually a legit blocker. I would have a hard time rolling the dice on a tight end in the top ten, but I think once the top three receivers are off the board, he’s the best offensive weapon.
Yeah man this offseason is exciting. Anyone could pick bowers after or before 10. Jets are 10 and who do they have? Uzomah is a free agent and Conklin doesn’t get a lot of snaps and isn’t fast. Bowers as a weapon for A-Rod, mixed with a well rested Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson? Could be a productive offense
As a Jets fan, I’d be surprised. Obviously we’ll see what happens in free agency, but I would be surprised if 10 wasn’t an offensive tackle. Alt won’t fall that far, but Fashanu might, and Fuaga or Latham could be the call. As of right now, they need two tackles and the class has a few first rounders. Uzomah will likely be cut, but Conklin and Ruckert is a workable tandem.
If Bowers falls to NYJ, they’d be fools to leave him on the board. The last TE to have a season of note that I can recall was…hmm, Jeff Cumberland?
There is one element to this that remains important, however, and that’s their offensive line. New York is going to feel compelled-and rightfully so-to take whomever is the best exterior lineman on the board, first and foremost, even if that means burning that pick on a slightly unpolished or imperfect prospect. Douglas actually did a good job in his early years, sans Zach Wilson, fixing a lot of the more minor mistakes on the roster and beginning to rebuild a foundation. Unfortunately the Wilson pick tanked that, and forced them to pursue Rodgers and transition to full push mode immediately. Now, they have to pick for immediate need, and their most immediate need by far is keeping their QB upright. If the Jets pick any other spot, and their line doesn’t improve, Douglas will be out.
The Chargers, Cardinals, Titans, or even Giants could nab Bowers ahead of New York. I don’t see any as guaranteed, but I wouldn’t be surprised. The Chargers have two decent TEs and certainly have other needs (particularly on defense), but you figure that Harbaugh will run the ball a lot and Herbert will throw a lot of play-action. Bowers’ ability as a blocker and receiver will definitely add an element to that offense, and judging by the way that Roman used Andrews in Baltimore to great effect, Bowers could see a lot of similar mileage. The Cards are tied to Murray for another year, which means more running, and obviously value the TE position enough-at least under the prior regime-to trade for Ertz. They have many needs, though, and TE isn’t their biggest gap even in terms of pass catchers. The Titans have Okwonko, but the Callahans have used TEs as blockers to set up passing plays a lot in the past. Brian Callahan just experienced the loss of a serviceable TE in Hurst that might have illustrated the utility of having that two-way position filled. Okwonko is pretty undersized, despite his receiving prowess, and having Bowers might give Callahan more options in play-action.
But, given the position value overall and the needs of the preceding teams, there’s a chance that Bowers falls. Unlike Pitts, he isn’t just seen as a pure receiver, which could help, especially on a play-action or running team.
We haven’t seen anything of Ruckert
There’s not much free agent talent on the TE market. Tight ends seem to play a huge role on talented teams (the two current best were on opposite sides of the Super Bowl sidelines, Kittle and Kelce). Jonnu Smith should do well for himself.
Sad to see him go. He was fun to watch when Ridder wasn’t under throwing or turning the ball over every 7 minutes
I say he would be a good depth piece for the Rams
The Bears will decide he’s not nearly as slow and old as Marcedes Lewis and pass on the opportunity to upgrade 🙁
Future Chief , Reid could get the best out of him