According to a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the tight end made a visit to the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday and is currently in negotiations with the team regarding a potential contract.
This development follows the announcement by the Atlanta Falcons on February 27 that they had released Smith, a move that freed up $6.5 million in salary cap space for the team.
Smith’s tenure in Atlanta lasted just one season, as he was acquired by the Falcons from the New England Patriots in exchange for a seventh-round pick prior to the start of the 2023 season.
Despite sharing the tight end position with Kyle Pitts, Smith managed to tally impressive numbers, recording 50 catches for 582 yards and three touchdowns.
Following his release from the Falcons, Smith took to social media to express gratitude for his time with the organization, describing it as “one of the most memorable years during my career for many great reasons on and off the field.”
Having spent the first four seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans and the subsequent two with the New England Patriots, Smith’s most notable season came in 2020 when he registered 41 catches for 448 yards and eight touchdowns with the Titans.
Miami’s interest in Smith following his release from the Falcons is not unexpected. The team is in need of a reliable tight end to bolster its offense as it strives to transition from a playoff team to a contender for the Super Bowl in 2024.
Dan Agnew of Yahoo Sports highlighted the Dolphins’ need for a reliable pass-catching tight end to complement their receiving duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Smith’s potential addition to the Dolphins’ offense could alleviate pressure on Hill and Waddle, potentially making him a significant threat in the red zone, particularly given the unlikely scenario of facing double teams in an offense featuring Hill and Waddle.
