Jonnu Smith – New England Football Journal®

Looking back on the Patriots free agent shopping spree of 2021

March 14, 2023

Bill Belichick went on an uncharacteristic shopping spree two years ago during the opening two days of free agency. He spent over $163 million in guaranteed money on several high profile free agents. It was the perfect storm. The NFL was still dealing with Covid, teams weren’t spending and the Patriots had an abundance of cap space. Coming off of a 7-9 season, Belichick wanted to turn things around quickly…

Patriots get out from Jonnu Smith’s contract by trading him to Atlanta

March 13, 2023

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The Patriots are trading tight end Jonnu Smith to the Atlanta Falcons for a 7th round draft pick. The move was a salary dump by the team as they looked to shed the Smith’s contract. The former Titans tight end signed as a free agent in the spring of 2021 for four years and $50 million dollars. The Patriots had high hopes for Smith but he never became the player…

Bill O’Brien is the Last Chance for Jonnu Smith

January 28, 2023

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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….

Patriots: Zappe throws for over 300 yards in second career start as Pats hammer the Browns

October 16, 2022

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Image courtesy of David Richard/AP Sunday was a tough afternoon for those that heavily critiqued Bill Belichick’s 2022 draft. Rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe thew for over 300 and two touchdowns in his second career start, while draft classmate Tyquan Thornton scored his first two career touchdowns – one receiving one rushing – and the Patriots cruised to a 38-15 win over the Browns. The defense also held the highly hyped…

Patriots: Jonnu Smith restructure a sign Belichick believes in this year’s team

September 3, 2022

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The Patriots and tight end Jonnu Smith agreed to a contract restructure this week that will create $5.3 million in cap space for the team. The Patriots now have $8.9 million in cap space, the ninth most cap space in the NFL according to @patscap. The restructure does however add $2.65 million per season over the next two years to Smith’s contract. My new Patriots salary cap space number after…

Patriots: Sights, sounds & thoughts from Day 12 of training camp

August 15, 2022

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With Carolina set to visit Tuesday and Wednesday for joint practices before a preseason game Friday night, the Pats weren’t in pads on Monday, but still got some things accomplished. Jumping right into the next installment of sights, sounds and thoughts… -I believe Brendan Schooler was first out today, not Terrance Mitchell. However, Coach Belichick and the assistant coaches were talking as players made their way out, so there’s a…

Patriots: Sights, sounds & thoughts from Day 8 of training camp

August 4, 2022

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Jumping right into it today… -Eight practices, eight straight days being the first one out for Terrance Mitchell. Today may have been the longest period of time in-between Mitchell’s arrival and the next guy out, which was Jalen Mills followed by Malcolm Butler. -Practice got going a bit late today, but for a good reason. It was rookie “slip & slide day” with Matthew Slater manning the hose. A staff…

Patriots: Sights, sounds & thoughts from Day 3 of training camp

July 29, 2022

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If the first and second day of training camp for the Patriots was clearly 1-1 between the defense and offense, then Day 3 was more of a tossup. There was some good and bad from both units as things continue to progress towards the first padded practice on Monday. The Pats have one more practice this week on Saturday morning (9:30, open to the public) before the first day off…

Patriots: 10 players I am watching in training camp

July 27, 2022

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Training camp has officially kicked off and I am watching these ten players this summer. 1. Mac Jones: Jones development is the key to success for the Patriots. If he takes the next step and gets better, the Patriots will be better. Regardless of who is calling the offense, Training camp and the pre-season will go a long way in telling us where Jones is in his development. Bill Belichick…

Patriots: Sights, sounds & thoughts from the first day of mandatory mini-camp

June 7, 2022

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There was a slight first day of school vibe on the lower practice field behind Gillette Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. Mandatory mini-camp began and aside from a few excused absences, just about everyone was in the house for the first of three straight practice days. There was definitely a bit more tempo to the near two-hour session compared to the optional OTA’s and we even got a small skirmish at…

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