In South Florida, offseason drama for the Miami Dolphins seems to be as predictable as a last-minute touchdown drive in a nail-biter game. Recently, the chatter has been all about the possibility of Jalen Ramsey heading out.

But now, it seems another name has joined the conversation—Jonnu Smith. The tight end, who made his first Pro Bowl last season, might be eyeing the exit as well.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, during his appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, shed some light on Smith’s situation. According to Rapoport, Smith is primarily driven by financial motives.

“I think Jonnu Smith wants to make money,” he claimed. The market for veteran tight ends appears to be heating up, with teams sniffing around not just Smith, but Kyle Pitts as well.

“It feels to me like he wants more money and would like to stay. I know he wants a lot,” Rapoport added, pointing out that the trade of Jalen Ramsey could potentially create financial breathing room for the Dolphins to meet Smith’s expectations. “Trading Ramsey might help Jonnu Smith get the contract he wants.”

But why are the Dolphins even considering parting ways with a key offensive weapon like Smith? Rumors whisper that the Dolphins are hesitant to increase Smith’s pay, leading Smith to seek a trade. His contract, which currently stands at $4 million in 2025, is structured in a way that could allow the Dolphins to void it after this season, given the lack of guaranteed money.

With impressive stats of 88 receptions for 884 yards in 2024, Smith has proven his value. Yet, while he’s not appearing at the Dolphins’ voluntary OTAs, speculation about his future remains unanswered. Head coach Mike McDaniel has been notably tight-lipped, particularly when it comes to the ongoing Ramsey situation.

Last season, the Dolphins weren’t shy about doling out lucrative deals. Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Tua Tagovailoa, and indeed, Ramsey himself saw their paychecks grow.

But sometimes generous moves like these can put other deserving players in a financial limbo. Jonnu Smith, despite being crucial to the offense’s success, may be a casualty of this fiscal juggling act.

At 30, Jonnu Smith is riding high off the best season of his career. The Dolphins now face a dilemma—keep a valued contributor or seek compensation while they can. This complicated scenario is only muddied by not drafting a tight end in the recent round, leaving the position potentially vulnerable if Smith departs.

In typical Miami fashion, instead of handling these talks in the shadows, the rumors have seen the light of day, making it harder to know what the next play might be. While it remains to be seen whether this offseason will result in significant roster changes, one thing is clear: for the Dolphins, offseasons are rarely a time to quietly regroup.