In June, Pittsburgh acquired tight end Jonnu Smith with high expectations, reuniting him with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and pairing him with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Coming off his first Pro Bowl season, Smith appeared poised for continued success. However, instead of delivering, Smith’s 2025 campaign turned into one of the most ineffective stretches in NFL history, finishing with just 38 catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns, marking a stark and unexpected downturn.
Smith’s Statistics Shatter Records for Inefficiency
Smith’s performance this season was not just poor—it broke records for inefficiency among receivers. Historically, among players who caught at least 35 passes but for 225 or fewer yards, Smith stands out as the only non-running back or fullback. This year, he was among four players in this category, joined only by running backs TreVeyon Henderson, Javonte Williams, and Rachaad White.
Only three players in NFL history have caught 35-plus passes and remained under 250 yards for a season: wide receiver Eddie Royal in 2015 (238 yards), tight end Steve Heiden in 2006 (249 yards), and tight end Alex Smith in 2006 (25 yards). Smith’s total of 222 yards further cements his place in this rare and unwelcome group.
Extremely Low Yards Per Catch Defines a Difficult Year
One of the most notable aspects of Smith’s decline was his yardage per reception. At 5.8 yards per catch, Smith ranked 119th out of the 121 players with at least 35 receptions in 2025. Only running backs Javonte Williams and Rachaad White posted lower averages. According to Pro Football Reference, Smith is the first tight end ever with at least 35 receptions to average fewer than 6 yards per catch.
This inefficiency contributed to a minimal ability to convert first downs, with Smith recording only 10 all season. Since 2010, among non-running backs with a minimum of 35 catches, only two others have totaled 10 or fewer first downs, including Eddie Royal’s comparable 2015 season—nine first downs on 37 receptions.
Minimal Impact in Late Season Play and Offensive Snaps
From Week 8 onward (starting October 17), Smith registered merely three first downs during 325 offensive snaps, translating to a first down every 108.3 snaps. His lack of impact in crucial moments underscores the struggles he faced throughout the year.
Shallow Targeting and Ineffectiveness in Pivotal Moments
Smith’s average depth of target (ADOT) stood at a career low 4.3 yards, reflecting very shallow passing plays, partly due to Aaron Rodgers’ quick release but significantly worse than other Steelers tight ends. Out of 107 non-running backs with at least 50 targets, Smith ranked 105th in ADOT, only ahead of receivers Rashee Rice (tied at 4.3) and Khalil Shakir. His teammate Pat Freiermuth, while also low-ranked, achieved a better 6.0 ADOT, highlighting the stark difference.
In yards gained before contact, Smith’s 1.1 yards per reception was the lowest among 100 non-running backs with more than 35 catches last year, further reflecting how defenses easily limited his progress after the catch.
Few Lengthy Receptions Underscore the Lack of Explosiveness
Of Smith’s 38 catches, only one exceeded 12 yards—a 21-yard reception against the New England Patriots in Week 3. Just six of his receptions (15.8%) covered 10 yards or more, showcasing a glaring absence of big plays, a vital component for any successful tight end in today’s NFL.
Underlying Causes and Team Impact of Smith’s Poor Season
The combination of these difficulties makes Smith’s season one of the worst for a tight end in league history. While some struggles can be attributed to missed opportunities by Aaron Rodgers, the lack of chemistry between the two was evident throughout the year. This disconnection also negatively affected Pat Freiermuth, a notably more productive receiver, who saw fewer targets due to Smith’s struggles.
“Everyone knows how bad it was.” ?Anonymous Analyst
“They were truly two guys never on the same page, and the fit was a wreck.” ?Anonymous Analyst
Outlook and Consequences for Jonnu Smith and the Steelers
With such a historically difficult season, it is expected that the Steelers will release Jonnu Smith before the new league year begins. This move comes as the team looks to optimize offensive efficiency, particularly at tight end. Smith’s downturn highlights the challenges of maintaining performance consistency, even for players fresh off career years, and raises questions about personnel fits and offensive coordination moving forward.
For Pittsburgh, addressing this inefficiency will likely be a priority as they seek to build a more reliable offense around Aaron Rodgers and emerging talents such as Pat Freiermuth. Smith’s season serves as a cautionary example of how important synergy between player skill sets and offensive schemes is to sustained NFL success.
