Preston Smith Traded to Steelers

Preston Smith Traded to Steelers

It has been a busy day for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Just hours after trading for New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams, Pittsburgh has also added edge rusher Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers. Per Adam Schefter, Pittsburgh is trading a 2025 seventh-round pick in exchange for him.

Trade compensation update, per sources: Steelers are sending a 7th-round pick to the Packers in exchange for edge rusher Preston Smith. pic.twitter.com/7Ftww4qrM7

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 5, 2024

Pittsburgh already is considered to have a phenomenal defensive line, mainly because of the presence of T.J. Watt, and adding Smith just made it even scarier. However, Smith has regressed this season compared to years past. He has logged just 2.5 sacks this season and has a PFF grade of 61.8 through nine games, with just 19 total tackles. Of course, The Steelers hope he will return to being the Preston Smith of old, and if he can, he, T.J. Watt, and Alex Highsmith will form one of the most feared edge rushing units in the league.

Preston Smith was in the middle of year six in Green Bay, and before that, he spent his first four NFL seasons as a member of the Washington Commanders. Essentially, what I’m getting at is that he is getting up there in age, especially for an edge rusher. The now 31-year-old Smith still has two years left on his contract and is set to make $24.6 Million over that span. The Steelers are hoping to squeeze the last bit of good football out of Preston Smith.

This is a good deal for the Steelers, in my opinion, because they can release Preston at the end of the year and save money against the cap. After all, his future contract years are not guaranteed.

Cowboys Acquire Jonathan Mingo From Carolina

It is exciting to see a usually conservative team like the Steelers be aggressive at the trade deadline. Only time will tell if these recent moves will help Pittsburgh win the big one.

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