The news broke fast on Thursday afternoon. Jordan Schultz reported the Packers are signing free-agent tight end Jonnu Smith to a one-year contract, and within minutes the NFL insider network had it confirmed and spreading.
Sources: The #Packers are signing former Pro Bowl TE Jonnu Smith to a 1-year deal. One of the NFL’s most respected veterans, Smith has amassed 345 career catches and 30 TDs.
Smith isn't a household name outside diehard fantasy circles, but the resume speaks for itself. A former Pro Bowler with 345 career catches and 30 touchdowns, he's built a reputation as one of the more reliable veteran hands at the position across stops with the Titans, Patriots, Falcons, Dolphins and, most recently, the Steelers, who released him in March. Adam Schefter piled on with his own confirmation, crediting Schultz's initial report.
Packers are signing free-agent TE Jonnu Smith to a one-year deal, as @Schultz_Report also reported.
Last season in Pittsburgh, Smith caught 38 passes for 222 yards and 2 touchdowns across all 17 games, a quieter output than his career-best 2024 campaign in Miami, when he hauled in 88 catches for 884 yards and 8 scores. At 31, he's not the same downfield threat he was two years ago, but he's still a savvy route-runner and reliable target underneath, exactly the kind of veteran presence a young quarterback benefits from.
The timing matters. Luke Musgrave, Green Bay's projected starting tight end, has been dealing with a neck injury, and it's unclear if he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. Smith slots in as experienced insurance at a position the Packers suddenly needed to shore up, and he won't need much time to learn the playbook. He played under Matt LaFleur back in 2018 when LaFleur was Tennessee's offensive coordinator, so this is a reunion of sorts, not a cold start.
A new weapon for Jordan Love in Green Bay.
For Jordan Love, this is another safety-valve target added to an offense trying to build consistency heading into the season. Smith won't be confused for a true difference-maker at this stage of his career, but a proven veteran who already speaks LaFleur's language is low-risk, potentially high-reward depth. Green Bay clearly isn't waiting around on Musgrave's recovery timeline to figure that out.