Patriots ‘agree to trade Jonnu Smith to the Falcons for a seventh-round pick’ as New England coach Bill Belichick unloads high-priced backup tight end after giving him a $50m deal in 2020
Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are unloading tight end Jonnu Smith’s regrettable contract on the Atlanta Falcons, according to multiple reporters.
Smith is reportedly being swapped for a seventh-round pick, reuniting him with Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, who previously coached the tight end as an assistant with the Tennessee Titans.
Now 27, Smith signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the Patriots in March of 2021 that included $31.25 million in guarantees, but failed to live up to the deal and ultimately fell into a backup role behind the Patriots’ Hunter Henry.
Smith’s contract will be reworked as part of the trade, according to multiple reports.
Patriots and Falcons spokespeople did not immediate respond to a request for confirmation.
Bill Belichick (right) and the New England Patriots are unloading tight end Jonnu Smith’s regrettable contract on the Atlanta Falcons, according to multiple reporters