A major wrong was righted on Monday for one Miami Dolphins standout
In a dismal overall season for the Miami Dolphins in 2024, one player had a whopper of a season in 2024. A franchise-best season, actually.
TE Jonnu Smith turned in the finest season by a tight end in franchise history, at least by the record books. His 88 catches for 884 yards were the most ever by a Miami Dolphins tight end in a season. He also led the team in catches, was second in yards to Tyreek Hill by 75, and let Miami in touchdown catches with 8.
That surely seemed good enough to earn a trip to the Pro Bowl. However, the votes said otherwise, with Travis Kelce and Brock Bowers were tabbed for the honors.
Bowers was a no brainer, as he led the league by tight ends in catches and yards by a wide margin. However, Smith arguably had a better season than Kelce, but ultimately wasn’t awarded. Given the Pro Bowl contest is often a popularity contest, that’s not too surprising.
However, that wrong was righted on Monday, as it was announced that Smith would be replacing Kelce on the Pro Bowl roster.
Kelce’s Chiefs are off to their third straight Super Bowl and thus won’t be participating in the Pro Bowl events, opening the door for Smith to step in for his first ever Pro Bowl appearance.
Smith, signed in the offseason to a two-year deal, proved to fit with Mike McDaniel’s offense like peanut butter and jelly. The athletic veteran tight end was instrumental in the screen and short passing games, as was RB De’Von Achane.
Smith’s 2024 output was a massive step up from any previous year in his career. His previous highs for catches and yards was last season in Atlanta with 50 and 582. If you told me that he would match that in 2024, I’d say that would have been a successful first season in Miami. However, surpassed that in a major way, largely by necessity due to Miami’s struggles throwing the ball deep downfield.
Smith deserved to see his name listed earlier this month when the original rosters were announced. Fortunately, he’ll end up making the trip to Orlando when all is said and done. Just how it should be.
