As training camp approaches, veteran tight end Jonnu Smith still hasn’t signed with a team. But there’s buzz that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be the perfect landing spot for the former Pro Bowler.
Buccaneers Named as Top-Three Landing Spot for Veteran Tight End
Jonnu Smith is one of the premier free agents who remains unsigned in early July.
The veteran tight end has spent time with the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers over the course of his nine-year NFL career.
According to an article by Priyanshu Choudhary of Pro Football Sports Network, the Buccaneers are a great candidate to become Smith’s sixth team. Choudhary called Smith a “perfect one-year rental” for the Bucs.
Why Smith Could Be a Great Fit for Tampa Bay
The Bucs are in desperate need of more production from their tight end room in 2026.
Tampa Bay ranked last in the NFL in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns from the tight end position last season.
Bucs tight end Cade Otton was the only player in the group who made a major contribution in the passing game. Otton had 59 receptions and 572 receiving yards last season, both ranking second on the team. The rest of Tampa Bay’s tight ends combined for two receptions and 17 yards. The Bucs got only two receiving touchdowns from their tight end group in 2025.
Smith has shown the ability to produce as a pass catcher throughout his NFL career, recording more than 400 receiving yards in four separate seasons. In 2024 with the Dolphins, Smith posted career highs with 88 receptions and 884 receiving yards on his way to a Pro Bowl selection.
Last season with Pittsburgh, the veteran tight end had his lowest receiving output since his rookie season. He struggled to find consistent playing time behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington after serving as the Dolphins’ primary tight end in 2024.
Freiermuth and Washington earned more playing time because of their blocking ability. The Steelers’ offensive scheme placed a heavy emphasis on tight ends in the run game, and for that reason, Smith lost snaps. He ranked 74th out of 75 qualifying tight ends in run blocking, according to Pro Football Focus, last season.
Smith could be a much better fit in the scheme of new Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Last season with the Falcons, Robinson’s offense used two-tight end formations more than any team in the league.
The use of two-tight end sets will require the Bucs to have a player who complements Otton’s skill set. During Smith’s career year in 2024, he totaled 510 yards after the catch, ranking fourth in the NFL. Meanwhile, Otton thrived in the intermediate passing game but finished with just 309 yards after the catch and averaged fewer than 10 yards per reception.
Smith Could Be a Valuable Red-Zone Threat for the Bucs
Last season, the Bucs struggled in the red zone, ranking 24th in the NFL in converting red-zone opportunities into touchdowns.
Much of that struggle stemmed from wide receiver Mike Evans missing nine games because of injury. Evans has 51 career touchdowns inside the 10-yard line and the most red-zone targets in franchise history. With a healthy Evans expected back in the lineup, the Bucs will look to improve their red-zone efficiency.
Smith has been used as a creative option in the red zone throughout his career. He has never been a true big-bodied isolation target near the goal line, but he caught eight touchdown passes in both 2020 and 2024. Smith also has three rushing touchdowns in his career, all stemming from red-zone touches.
Otton has struggled to find the end zone during his NFL career. He has just 11 career touchdown receptions and has never had more than four in a single season.
Smith’s versatility and track record could provide a meaningful boost to both Tampa Bay’s tight end production and its red-zone efficiency.
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