One of the New England Patriots’ prized offseason free agent acquisitions, tight end Jonnu Smith has yet to find a consistent role in the team’s offense.
Smith has recorded 27 catches for 274 yards and a touchdown. He did not have a reception against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. He was on the field for 21 of 64 possible offensive snaps.
In his last five contests, he only has six receptions on 10 targets. His best game statistically during that span was when he caught four catches for 49 yards against the Tennessee Titans.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels talked about the lack of Smith’s usage in the offense.
On Jonnu Smith's 0 targets on Sun:
Josh McDaniels: Sometimes when the game gets out of hand, you don't get to call everything in the game the way you'd like to call it… He's a player that can do some things with the ball in his hands… I have to do better to get him the ball
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) December 28, 2021
As a slumping Patriots passing attack prepares take on the Jacksonville Jaguars, it will be intriguing to see if Smith plays a bigger role in the offense with the season winding down.
