Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith received some recognition on Thursday, as he was voted the team’s 2019 Ed Block Courage Award recipient by his teammates.
According to Jim Wyatt of Titans Online, the award is “given to a player on each of the NFL’s 32 teams who represents a commitment to sportsmanship, courage, professionalism, and are considered to be role models in their community.”
Smith’s 2019 season was considered special for more than just the career-high 439 receiving yards and three touchdowns he scored.
The tight end also had to overcome a torn ACL he suffered during the 2018 season, which occurred during running back Derrick Henry’s infamous 99-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Going into 2020, Smith is now the undisputed No. 1 tight end on the Titans after the team cut long-time starter Delanie Walker during the offseason.
The Titans will have a decision to make with the former third-round pick, as he’s in the final year of his rookie contract. Tennessee could opt to try and sign him to a contract extension prior to the upcoming season, or let him play out the year and go from there.
Taking the latter approach could be more costly. Smith’s trajectory is pointing upward after a great season in 2019 and he is poised to have a true breakout campaign in 2020.
Smith is doing whatever he can to put himself in the best position to succeed, including working out with quarterback Ryan Tannehill multiple times per week, which could lead to better chemistry, and ultimately, more targets.
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