Dolphins' Jonnu Smith expresses disappointment after Pro Bowl snub: "Slap in the face"

Dolphins tight end was visibly crestfallen after he and his teammates did not make the Pro Bowl for the 2024 NFL season. The selections were revealed and Miami, who are in the hunt for the playoffs going into Week 18, did not end up with a single player on the list.

Speaking to reporters, the Dolphins tight end expressed hope that he would make the Pro Bowl roster. He commented that he was looking forward to it because this was the first time he had ever been in contention. However, he also graciously congratulated all the players that did make it, acknowledging that they were deserving too. Jonnu Smith noted,

"I thought I would do [make the Pro Bowl]. It's my first time ever being recognized for a respectable honor, you know what I mean? Congratulations to all the guys that made it. You know, they're deserving."

Jonnu Smith also agreed when pressed by a reporter if he felt that it was incredible no Miami player had been selected. However, he said that the main thing is to win championships. He and his team are in the fight to make the playoffs, should the Broncos lose to the Chiefs and the Dolphins defeat the Jets. Reflecting on that, the tight end continued,

"I definitely felt that was kind of a slap in the face [that not a single Dolphins player made the team], for a lot of guys... who were deserving, for sure. At the end of the day, we play this game to win championships. Pro Bowls, that's actually that comes with it. At the end of the day, we'll laugh about it for few minutes but we got work to do this weekend."

Which players beat out Dolphins TE Jonnu Smith?

Two tight ends were selected in the Pro Bowl for the AFC. Brock Bowers took the starting spot after his phenomenal first season in the NFL. The Raiders player has 1,144 yards and four touchdowns, which is also now the record for most yardage by a tight end in their rookie year.

Travis Kelce was the alternate with 823 yards and three touchdowns. That is five fewer yards than Jonnu Smith. The Dolphins tight end also has seven forays into the endzone. The Chiefs tight end, though, is part of a team that has a league-best 15-1 record going into Week 8, whereas Miami is currently 8-8 and needs favors from others to make it into the postseason.