The Pittsburgh Steelers have made another significant move to bolster their roster, this time acquiring veteran pass rusher Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers. The trade, which took place on the same day the Steelers acquired wide receiver Mike Williams from the Jets, sees Pittsburgh sending a seventh-round pick to Green Bay in exchange for Smith. The move signals the Steelers’ commitment to improving their defense as they aim for a Super Bowl run.
Preston Smith, a 10-year NFL veteran, was originally drafted by Washington in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. After four seasons with Washington, he signed with the Packers in 2019, where he has been a key defensive contributor. This season, Smith had 2.5 sacks in nine games with Green Bay before the trade.
Smith’s arrival in Pittsburgh will provide additional depth to the Steelers’ pass-rushing group, which is already led by standout edge rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. The trade will likely result in more playing time for 2024 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness, who will take on a larger role in Green Bay’s defense following Smith’s departure.
Smith is signed with the Steelers through 2026, and his salary for the 2024 season is set at $3.2 million. However, his contract includes a substantial jump in 2025, where he is scheduled to earn $12 million
