news-engine

All the Right Reasons: What Jonnu Smith Brings With some question marks at the tight end position, the Packers added much needed depth who fits exactly what they're trying to be on offense By Luke Leavitt Jonnu Smith’s arrival in Green Bay is about filling a real, immediate need. The Packers had to stabilize the tight end room with Luke Musgrave’s neck injury, Tucker Kraft still fully recovering from his ACL tear, and block-focused Josh Whyle all resulting in a room with uncertainty. Smith gives Green Bay exactly what they were missing: dependable, athletic depth at a position that matters in Matt LaFleur’s offense. It’s a move that makes perfect sense for where this roster is right now. Smith’s game has always been built on speed. A fitting quality that has never been truer to the Packers offensive attack. It’s the same trait that made him a weapon in Tennessee, where LaFleur served as offensive coordinator and helped unlock Smith’s potential. Those Titans years proved Smith to be the new age of modern tight ends. A player with wide receiver capability, just lined up next to offensive tackles. Look no further than Smith’s 2024 season with the Miami Dolphins. A career year going for 88 receptions, 884 yards, and 8 touchdowns. In Mike McDaniel’s offense, one of Matt LaFleur’s old coworkers in Washington & Atlanta would maximize Smith’s talent. Both having career stops working under Mike Shanahan’s staff. Make no mistake, certain skillsets of players fit better in their system. Another coach who builds his offense around motion, speed, and misdirection put out Smith’s best career tape. Nearly doubling his prior career best season in all major categories. Smith would spend 2025 in Pittsburgh, in a crowded 4-man tight end room. Jonnu would still come down with 38 receptions, 222 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Playing in all 17 games, Smith displayed a better statistical season than Luke Musgrave who was effectively TE1 from Week 9 onward in Green Bay. Smith would also go for 9 rushes, 70 yards, and 1 touchdown. Another player who can run with the football not only after a catch. What Smith gives Jordan Love is another player who can turn a simple bootleg or leak route into a 20‑yard gain. Able to line up anywhere, another piece in the puzzle for Matt LaFleur’s playbook. It’s a classic Packers signing. See what you have inhouse first, then source for talent that fits the identity, and a hole in ability. It isn’t a Micah Parsons trade, a move made almost exactly a year ago, but it is one that fills a real need and makes immediate sense for where this roster stands today. It’s about strengthening a position that LaFleur values more than most coaches in the league. It’s about adding speed to an offense already built on it. More than anything, it’s about the Packers adding a veteran who understands the nuances of this offense before he even walks into the building. Eight years after playing for Matt LaFleur in Tennessee, Jonnu Smith reunites with his former offensive playcaller in Green Bay. 5️⃣ things to know about the new Packers tight end 📝 pic.twitter.com/faUXHMrl5u — weston hodkiewicz (@WesHod) August 29, 2026 Some 2025 Jonnu Smith pic.twitter.com/fmB3oflCBY — Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) August 27, 2026 The Packers got their TE2 in Jonnu Smith Finally someone who can stay on their feet after they catch the ball Should have a decent role in Green Bay alongside Tucker Kraft pic.twitter.com/6BRaakFusf — Matthew S. (@MatthewMKE98) August 27, 2026 PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE. __________________________ Luke Leavitt is a Contributor for Cheesehead TV, covering the Green Bay Packers. A Manchester by the Sea, Massachussetts native. Luke is a lifelong Packer fan, and 16-year shareholder. Keep up with Luke on X @LukeLeavitt7 __________________________