Durham Smythe Bio
Durham Smythe is an American professional football tight end who currently plays in the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 5 in and weighing about 248 lb, Smythe is recognized for his work as a blocker and pass catcher at the position. After a college career at Notre Dame, he entered the NFL in 2018 and has since become a reliable veteran presence in multiple organizations.
Born in Havertown, Pennsylvania, Smythe has spent the bulk of his professional career with the Miami Dolphins before moving on to other clubs in recent seasons. His journey from a small-town high school athlete to an NFL tight end reflects steady development, durability, and a willingness to take on the less glamorous responsibilities of the tight end position.
Early Life and Background
Durham Smythe was born on August 9, 1995, in Havertown, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the Philadelphia metropolitan area and developed an early interest in football, playing the sport throughout his youth. While Pennsylvania is listed as his birthplace, Smythe later relocated to Texas during his formative years.
He attended Belton High School in Belton, Texas, where he played high school football and earned recognition as a tight end prospect. Belton High School produced several college-level athletes, and Smythe was among the most notable football players to come through the program during that period.
His combination of size and athleticism made him an attractive recruit coming out of high school, and he ultimately chose to continue his football career at the University of Notre Dame, one of the most storied programs in college football history.
Path to American Football
Smythe joined the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and spent five seasons with the program from 2013 through 2017. During his time in South Bend, he worked his way into a steady role within the tight end group, contributing both as a blocker and as a receiving option.
Across his four seasons of college play, Smythe totaled 28 receptions for 381 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. While his receiving numbers were modest, his blocking ability and consistency in the running game earned him positive evaluations from NFL scouts.
His combination of size, football intelligence, and special teams value led to him being projected as a Day 3 NFL Draft selection, and he declared for the 2018 NFL Draft following his senior season.
Durham Smythe Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Durham Smythe was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the 123rd overall pick. The pick was originally acquired by Miami from the Cleveland Browns in the trade involving Jarvis Landry, and the Dolphins used it to bolster their tight end room.
Smythe made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2018 season against the Tennessee Titans and recorded his first two career receptions in Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts. He finished his rookie campaign with six receptions for 50 receiving yards while contributing heavily on special teams.
In 2019, Smythe appeared in all 16 games and started 14, finishing with seven receptions for 65 receiving yards. His expanded role signaled that the Dolphins viewed him as a developmental piece with long-term value at the tight end position.
Miami Dolphins Breakthrough (2020–2024)
Smythe’s role expanded in the 2020 season, when he scored his first professional touchdown on a four-yard reception against the New York Jets in Week 6. He played in 15 games with 13 starts and finished the year with 26 receptions for 208 yards and two touchdowns, establishing himself as a dependable piece of the Dolphins’ offense.
In 2021, Smythe appeared in all 17 games and started 12, finishing with 34 receptions for 357 yards. His production increased significantly that season, and on March 22, 2022, he re-signed with the Dolphins on a two-year contract, cementing his place as a core member of the tight end group.
The 2022 season saw Smythe appear in 16 games and start 15, recording 15 receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown. On April 3, 2023, he signed a contract extension with the Dolphins that ran through the 2025 season, and he responded with 35 receptions for 366 yards in 2023. In 2024, his role shifted toward special teams, finishing with nine receptions for 53 yards.
After seven seasons in Miami, Smythe was released by the Dolphins on February 14, 2025.
Chicago Bears Era (2025)
On March 12, 2025, Durham Smythe signed with the Chicago Bears, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. His veteran presence and blocking pedigree made him a fit for a Bears team looking to add experience to its tight end room.
During the 2025 season, Smythe primarily served as a blocking tight end or fullback, embracing a physical role that emphasized run blocking and in-line assignments rather than high-volume receiving work. This role allowed Chicago to feature him as a tone-setter on offense.
His transition to Chicago marked the first time in his career that he played outside the Dolphins organization, and he adapted to a new scheme while maintaining his standard of steady, physical play.
Driving Style and Strengths
Smythe’s strengths center on in-line blocking, run-game physicality, and special teams reliability. At 6 ft 5 in and 248 lb, he brings the size and toughness needed to handle defensive ends at the point of attack, and he has consistently been trusted in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Notable milestones include his first NFL touchdown in 2020 against the New York Jets, his contract extensions with the Dolphins, and his first career move in free agency to the Chicago Bears in 2025. He also reached the 100-reception mark during his time with the Dolphins, a benchmark for longevity at the tight end position.
Durham Smythe Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Durham Smythe has been valued more for his consistency and reliability than for highlight-reel statistics. Across his time with the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears, he has been a steady contributor whose work often shows up in the running game and on special teams coverage units.
Miami Dolphins Highlights
During his seven seasons in Miami, Smythe became one of the longest-tenured tight ends in recent Dolphins history. His most productive receiving season came in 2023, when he recorded 35 receptions for 366 yards, and he posted back-to-back seasons with multiple touchdowns in 2020. His reliability helped stabilize the tight end room through several coaching changes.
Other Wins and Performances
Smythe’s transition to the Chicago Bears in 2025 added a veteran dimension to a young offense, and his blocking contributions helped set the tone for the team’s run game. His performance in a hybrid tight end and fullback role demonstrated his football intelligence and adaptability.
Durham Smythe Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Durham Smythe was raised in Havertown, Pennsylvania, before his family moved to Texas during his youth. Specific details about his parents and siblings are not widely documented in public sources.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Smythe has generally kept his personal life private. Publicly available information about his marital status, spouse, or children is not confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
In his first season with the Chicago Bears, Durham Smythe served primarily as a blocking tight end or fullback, taking on a physical role within the team’s offensive scheme. The Bears utilized his size and toughness at the point of attack in both the run game and in short-yardage situations.
While his receiving volume was limited compared to earlier seasons, his presence helped establish a more physical identity for the Chicago offense. Special teams remained a key part of his role, as it had been throughout his career.
Looking ahead, Smythe’s veteran experience and positional versatility give him a path to continued involvement with the Bears or another NFL franchise in 2026, depending on team needs and roster decisions.