Jonnu Smith provides instant help to the Patriots offense

The Patriots desperately needed weapons on the offense and bringing a player in like Jonnu Smith can only help the team. 

It was quite obvious that the New England Patriots offense lacked weapons and any continuity, and so it made sense to go after tight end Jonnu Smith in 2021 NFL free agency. The former Tennessee Titan signed a four–year, $50 million deal that includes $31.25 million fully guaranteed, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

It makes sense from both sides. One side is that the Patriots had cap space to work with this year despite lowering the cap to a shave over $180 million total. Additionally, the Patriots’ offense this season was severely lacking. Outside of Jakobi Meyers, the pass catchers resembled nothing that once was.  Former Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman was out for the majority of the year as well.

This was a move that the fans should have seen coming. If the Patriots were to go into this season with the same receiving corps, there would have been problems, especially because former quarterback Tom Brady and former tight end Rob Gronkowski will be returning to Foxborough for a game this year.

Jonnu Smith has a lot to offer for the Patriots’ offense, thanks to his abilities.

Though Jonnu Smith played a quiet role with the Tennessee Titans thanks largely to Derrick Henry’s running, it’s worth mentioning that he’s got game. A third-round pick out of Florida International, Smith has caught 114 passes for over 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns through his career.

Sure, he wasn’t the best tight end in the league, but given what the Patriots have had at their disposal since Gronkowski left the team, what do they have to lose at this point? Something is better than nothing. Additionally, if Cam Newton gets weapons to work with, what could his potential be? Better than it was last season, for sure.

Jonnu Smith is relatively unknown but now handsomely paid. He can only help the Patriots’ offense and show that he’s more than what he was in Tennessee.