Jonnu Smith

Former Miami HC set to become offensive coordinator in LA Former Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel is expected to become the Chargers offensive coordinator barring a change of heart, per @JeffDarlington and me. McDaniel has informed other teams that they re out, the Chargers clearly want him, and the two sides are having dinner tonight. But the expectation across the league is that McDaniel will be staying in LA. (ESPN - Adam Schefter) FF Today's Take: It is hard to envision a scenario in which this potential hire is not good for Justin Herbert, Omarion Hampton and Oronde Gadsden II. McDaniel worked wonders with Tua Tagovailoa in Miami, helping him lead the league in passing yards one season (2023) and completion percentage in the next (2024). Herbert is much more gifted than Tagovailoa, so expect the quarterback to take a big step forward in 2026. As far as Hampton is concerned, he is much different than De'Von Achane, but Hampton showed enough in the passing game as a rookie to likely catch McDaniel's attention in that regard. Last but not least, McDaniel coaxed production out of Jonnu Smith and Darren Waller in recent years. One would have to think Gadsden will be a key paart of his offense as well.

Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith couldn't help but lobby for the Steelers to add Smith this offseason after previously working with the veteran tight end in Atlanta, seemingly hoarding tight ends with very particular skillsets for his Mickey Mouse offense. Smith's 2025 season ends with his fewest receptions (38), yards (222), and touchdowns (two) since an injury-shortened 2022 season. He remains tied to a Steelers team with no shortage of potential offseason movement through the 2026 season, leaving an uncertain fantasy profile through the offseason.

The five-year veteran tight end returned the lowest reception and yardage total of his professional career other than his injury-shortened 2023 campaign, catching just 41 balls for 486 yards and four touchdowns. The offseason addition of Jonnu Smith simply cut into both his snap and route participation rates for Arthur Smith's tight end-heavy offense, even with the team ranking third in rate of offensive plays with multiple tight ends on the field. Darnell Washington led the position group in snaps as he operated effectively as a sixth offensive lineman for the Steelers, leaving Freiermuth's fantasy value in the dust in the process. Things don't appear to be any better considering quarterback Aaron Rodgers is likely to retire and head coach Mike Tomlin could be on the host seat after his seventh consecutive postseason loss.