Bill O’Brien is the Last Chance for Jonnu Smith

Posted By on January 28, 2023

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 28: Kevin Byard #31 of the Tennessee Titans tackles Jonnu Smith #81 of the New England Patriots in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

When the Patriots hired Bill O’Brien earlier this week there was a collective sight of relief across New England. O’Brien, a proven offensive mind and play caller, would be a massive upgrade for a Patriots offense that was disjointed and underwhelming in 2022. Within O’Brien’s new offense is a player that the Patriots signed for huge money in 2021 that has been a massive disappointment since: tight end Jonnu Smith. In O’Brien, the Patriots have a coach who expertly used tight ends in Foxboro before. For Smith, working under O’Brien is his last chance to have success in New England.

Smith was one of two major tight end signings in 2021 along with Hunter Henry. Henry was a top tier tight end in 2021 and as effective as possible in the limited 2022 New England offense. Smith has never been able to get things going with the Patriots. In two seasons, Smith has 55 catches for 539 yards and one touchdown. He also has 10 rushes for 45 yards; those seemed to have been meager attempts to get him touches rather than concerted efforts to use him differently. Smith not only struggled with the rest of the offense in 2022, but was ineffective in 2021. The play below, like many others he made in Tennessee, has been nonexistent in New England.

The last time O’Brien was the offensive coordinator for the Patriots, in 2011, New England had a record setting tight end group. Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez combined for 169 catches, 2,237 yards and 24 touchdowns. They were also fantastic in the playoffs, scoring a combined five touchdowns and had Gronkowski not suffered a high ankle sprain in the AFC Championship Game, New England probably would’ve won the Super Bowl.

If there is any coach that can get production out of Smith, it’s O’Brien. Smith is too expensive to cut and would no garner any return on the trade market. The Patriots are going to have to find a way to use him in 2023. For Smith, another failed year in New England could spell not only the end of his time here, but also potentially the end of his career. O’Brien (and an improved Mac Jones) represents the last, and best, chance for Smith to have an impact for the Patriots.