Breaking: Some Korean techs swept up in Hyundai campus ICE raid return to Georgia
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons trade for veteran tight end Jonnu Smith

Jonnu Smith caught a touchdown pass for the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. A fan trying to catch a free T-shirt was critically injured when he fells from the stands.

Credit: Frederick Breedon

Credit: Frederick Breedon

Jonnu Smith caught a touchdown pass for the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. A fan trying to catch a free T-shirt was critically injured when he fells from the stands.
By
Updated March 13, 2023

The Falcons acquired veteran tight end Jonnu Smith in a trade with the Patriots on Monday.

The Falcons sent a seventh-round pick (245th overall) to get Smith, who was originally selected by the Titans in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. He’ll be reunited with Falcons coach Arthur Smith, the former offensive coordinator of the Titans.

The 6-foot-3, 248 pound Smith had career highs in receptions (41) and touchdowns (eight) in 2020 with Arthur Smith running the Tennessee offense. The Patriots signed Smith to a four-year, $50 million deal before the 2021 season and caught 28 passes in 2021 and 27 in 2022.

The trade for Jonnu Smith was made with Mycole Pruitt and Anthony Firkser set to become unrestricted free agents on Wednesday. The Falcons re-signed tight end Parker Hesse, who was an exclusive rights free agent.

The news of Smith’s trade was first reported by the NFL media.

The Bow Tie Chronicles

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) gets tacke by Miami Dolphins linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (40) during the second half of an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, October 26, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

As offense struggles, Falcons looking to help QB Michael Penix Jr. more

The Atlanta Falcons rank 27th in the league in scoring, and players see room for improvement.

1h ago

Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. on his play: ‘I’m human. I’m not perfect.’

The Falcons quarterback shares his thoughts on the team's third-down issues, being hard on himself, Tyler Allgeier, who he leans on and more.

Falcons’ DeAngelo Malone headed to injured reserve

Atlanta linebacker DeAngelo Malone, a key special-teams player, broke his ankle in the loss to the Colts.

The Latest

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) gets tacke by Miami Dolphins linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (40) during the second half of an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, October 26, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

As offense struggles, Falcons looking to help QB Michael Penix Jr. more

1h ago

Dirty Birds Dispatch: Can the offense save the season?

Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. on his play: ‘I’m human. I’m not perfect.’

Featured

University of Georgia students are seen entering and leaving the main Library on the Athens campus on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

UGA to pay $100K H-1B visa fee only ‘in exceptional circumstances’

The University of Georgia could soon limit the number of foreign workers it employs, a result of the $100,000 fee imposed on some H-1B visas.

Georgia judges deal blow to ICE’s new mandatory detention policy

The ruling is a first-of-its-kind to come out of Georgia’s Middle District.

At the Cobb jail, a new kind of rehabilitation starts at the horse barn

Joshua Arp is one of two Cobb County jail detainees taking part of the sheriff’s office new equine therapy program meant to help him stay out of jail.

2h ago