The Patriots agree to trade Jono Smith to the Falcons in the seventh round

Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have dumped the contract of unfortunate Jono Smith on the Atlanta Falcons, according to several reporters.

Smith was reportedly swapped for a seventh-round pick, reuniting with Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, who had previously coached the tight end as an assistant with the Tennessee Titans.

Now 27, Smith signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the Patriots in March of 2021 that included $31.25 million in collateral, but he failed to honor the deal and was eventually signed to a backup role behind Patriots catcher Henry.

Smith’s contract will be reworked as part of the trade, according to multiple reports.

Patriots and Falcons spokespeople did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation.

Bill Belichick (R) and the New England Patriots void the contract of unfortunate Jono Smith on the Atlanta Falcons, according to several reporters.

The Patriots will save about $4.4 million in cap space, but Smith will still account for $12.8 million against the team’s cap number, according to Spotrac.com.

Smith recorded just 55 catches for 539 yards and 1 touchdown over two seasons with New England.

Previously, with the Titans, he emerged as one of the most dangerous tight ends in football, catching 41 passes for 448 yards and eight touchdowns in 2020 before leaving Tennessee for Foxborough.