The New England Patriots got the player they considered the No. 1 pass-catcher in free agency, per NFL Network’s Mike Giardi. New England will sign tight end Jonnu Smith, who will immediately change the complexion of the offense.
The two parties have agreed to terms on a contract, and it will become final on March 17 when the 2021 league year opens. Smith will make $50 million over four years, with $31.25 million guaranteed, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Patriots have been sorely lacking talent at tight end since Rob Gronkowski retired and then forced his way off the team by trade. New England went with a cast of lesser-known players and an aging Ben Watson in 2019 and got little production. The Patriots drafted two tight ends in the third round in 2020 (Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene), but neither contributed in a meaningful way in their rookie season.
So Bill Belichick was getting aggressive, with one of the NFL’s top free agents in 2021.
Jonnu Smith was the #Patriots number one pass catching target. Per source, that deal is done. He is headed to NE.
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 15, 2021
Smith’s contract sets him up to make the third-most per year among tight ends. It’s also the most ever for a Patriots skill player. His $31.25 million is the most guaranteed money among all tight ends — more than George Kittle, who earned $23.6 guaranteed when he signed his deal in 2020. That’s a testament to the Patriots’ faith in Smith, who is just 26 years old.
He finished the 2020 season with 41 catches for 448 yards and eight touchdowns, all career-highs for him. During his career, he’s been fairly quiet against the Patriots. His best game against Belichick came during the 2018 regular season when Smith had three catches for 45 yards and a touchdown. So while the Patriots are paying Smith to be one of the best tight ends in the NFL, he isn’t quite there yet statistically.
But make no mistake: he can get there. He will be a centerpiece of the Patriots’ offense — if not the centerpiece. New England, who re-signed quarterback Cam Newton this week, is likely to feed Smith the ball. Not only does he have upside as a pass-catcher, but he can also block well, which makes him capable of playing every offensive snap.
It’s clear the Patriots think they will elevate Smith to another level. And it’s also clear they desperately needed to lure him into a passing offense that was one of the NFL’s worst in passing yards per game (30th) and passing touchdowns (tied for 32nd). Smith instantly makes that offense better.
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