Patriots Football Daily: Falcons Release Former Patriots Tight End

Jonnu Smith, who spent two seasons as a member of the New England Patriots, is being released by the Atlanta Falcons. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first with the report.

New England signed Smith as a free agent before the 2021 season. He had spent his first four seasons as a member of the Tennessee Titans. Smith totaled 76 receptions, 887 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns over his final two seasons with the Titans. He cashed in during free agency. The Patriots gave Smith a four-year contract worth $50 million, with $31.25 million guaranteed. Unfortunately, Jonnu Smith was unable to play up to his hefty cap number in New England.

Smith played two years (2021-2022) with the Patriots. He recorded 55 receptions for 539 yards and one touchdown. New England traded him to Atlanta following the 2022 season. There he was reunited with his former Tennessee tight ends coach and offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith. Jonnu Smith had a solid bounce-back year in 2023, finishing with 50 receptions, 582 yards, and three touchdowns.

Arthur Smith was fired as Atlanta’s head coach after his third straight 7-10 season. He is now the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Perhaps Jones and Smith will reunite with a third franchise in 2024. Or maybe Jonnu Smith makes a return to Foxboro, where currently La’Michael Pettway is the only tight end under contract.

The New England Patriots drafted Isaiah Bolden with the seventh-round pick they acquired from Atlanta for Jonnu Smith.

Also in today’s Patriots Daily…

New England Patriots

Patriots Football Now – Eliot Wolf meets the media at the NFL Scouting Combine

Patriots Football Now – Patriots Roster Breakdown: Bailey Zappe fights for a job

“The Dynasty”

Patriots Football Now – Review of Episode 3: Borrowed Time

Patriots Football Now – Review of Episode 4: Spygate

NFL Draft

Patriots Football Now – NFL analyst disparages potential Patriots QB of the future

Patriots Football Now – NFL Scouting Combine Spotlight: Holy Cross WR Jalen Coker

NFL News

NFL.com – Commanders GM: Lot of work to do on QB decisions

Pro Football Network – Mel Kiper says Daniel Jones is the right man for the job with Giants

Yardbarker – Browns GM proposes rule change to move back trade deadline

ESPN – Chiefs to tag L’Jarius Snead, open to trade

Boston Bruins

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Football Fun Fact of the Day

The tallest player drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft is Ed “Too Tall” Jones, who stood at 6-foor-9. Dallas selected Jones first in the 1974 NFL Draft out of Tennessee State. He went on to play his entire 15-year career for the Cowboys, winning a Super Bowl and being selected to three Pro Bowl teams. He retired with 106.0 career sacks.

Happy Birthday

Tim Goad (58) and Ryan Allen (34)

Post of the Day

Post of the Day comes from Crispy Carlton speaking on behalf of Atlanta Falcons QB Desmond Ridder…

Desmond Ridder rn https://t.co/P3ND2WTh8e pic.twitter.com/jvn5tCucq7

— Carlton (@CrispyCarlton) February 27, 2024