GREEN BAY – In discussing the Packers' two new tight ends, Head Coach Matt LaFleur credited one for a "vet move" in his first meeting and complimented the other on his "contact courage."
Jonnu Smith and Mark Redman have officially entered the building and changed the look of the position group.
Smith, a 10-year veteran, plunked himself down next to Jordan Love in his initial team meeting in Green Bay, which should only help him get up to speed in his new surroundings.
He later told reporters the quarterback was the No. 1 reason he chose to sign with the Packers, as he bided his time on the free-agent market waiting for the right opportunity.
That came with the Packers looking to upgrade their depth at tight end behind rising star Tucker Kraft, and with Luke Musgrave beginning the season on the physically unable to perform list due to a neck injury.
Smith's connection with LaFleur goes back to his rookie season in 2017 with Tennessee, where LaFleur was his offensive coordinator. The 31-year-old believes he's spent, at most, three years in his career outside the framework of this offensive system, so he doesn't expect to be in the learning phase for long.
"It's what I signed up for," Smith said Tuesday after his first practice as a member of the Packers. "I've got some familiarity with what Matt wants to do and what he's done over the years. Obviously, he's evolved and has had a ton of success.
"So, I'm just going to continue to hit it how I've always hit it over the years and be a student of the game still, even in Year 10, and continue to be a teacher, as well. I'm the oldest guy in there by like five years. So, I've got some knowledge I can give out."
Kraft noted how much he appreciates that, never having worked with a seasoned veteran at his position as a pro. He's already hearing Smith's grasp of the offense from past experiences, and soon enough the two could form quite the pass-catching tandem.
Smith (6-3, 248), who's now with his sixth different team in the last seven years, is just two seasons removed from an 88-catch season in Miami that earned him a Pro Bowl selection. But he understands his place here, saying he thought Kraft was the best all-around tight end in the league before going down with a knee injury last November.
So Smith is eager to embrace a team-first role, knowing General Manager Brian Gutekunst was attracted to his all-around abilities – on the line of scrimmage, from the backfield, in the slot.
"He can kind of do everything you ask of a tight end," Gutekunst said.
All of which Smith plans on delivering.
"When my number's called, I'm obviously going to answer that," he said. "I got a lot of ball left in me, and I'm excited to show that this year."
As for Redman, an undrafted prospect who spent his rookie 2025 season on the Rams' practice squad, he fills the role of an in-line blocking tight end Gutekunst has been looking to acquire since the draft.
So with Redman stuck behind five other tight ends in L.A. but having put plenty of solid preseason film out there, the Packers sent a 2028 seventh-round pick to the Rams so as not to risk anyone else claiming Redman on waivers.
"He's going to stick his face in there," LaFleur said, explaining the "contact courage" remark as it relates to his blocking. LaFleur had spoken about the 6-5, 258-pound tight end with his brother Mike, who was Redman's offensive coordinator last year in L.A.
"He's more of a wide body. He's a big man, so we're excited to get him and see what he knows."
Redman says he already feels he fits in here with Kraft, Smith, Josh Whyle and tight ends coach John Dunn. He never expected to get traded, but he's fired up about where he landed and doesn't see too drastic a transition going from Sean McVay's offense to LaFleur's.
After all, blocking is blocking, and he's ready to do it as much as required.
"That's what I'm coming here to do," he said. "So just kind of embracing that role, just get dirty, and finish some blocks. I think I put it on tape in the preseason and that's what I like to do. Hopefully that's what they'll use me for."
