The Green Bay Packers are trading veteran edge rusher Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, according to multiple reports. The deadline deal sends an experienced pass-rusher from Green Bay to Pittsburgh while allowing the Packers — a contender in the NFC — to recoup the draft capital used to acquire quarterback Malik Willis and make changes in playing time at defensive end over the second half of 2024.
What does the deal mean for the Packers and Steelers?
Here’s a quick breakdown of the trade from both sides:
Why trade makes sense for Packers
Packers Wire: While a respected locker room leader and a capable player at a key position, Smith checked a lot of boxes as a trade candidate, even for a contending team like the Packers. Smith turns 32 later this month. He has only 10 pressures and 2.5 sacks in nine games this season. He played only 21 snaps — including five pass-rushing snaps — last week. He was taking up snaps that could go to developing younger players such as 2023 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness and third-year veteran Kingsley Enagbare. He is not expected to be around in 2025 and isn’t a fit financially past this season. Add it all up, and the Packers might feel fortunate to get a seventh-round pick at the deadline. Experienced as a standout outside linebacker in the 3-4, Smith wasn’t nearly as productive as a 4-3 defensive end to start this season. He’ll get a chance to return to the 3-4 in Pittsburgh. The Packers are certainly taking a risk by trading away a veteran at a premium position, especially considering the lacking production of the position group overall. There’s no guarantee Van Ness or Enagbare (or even Arron Mosby or Brenton Cox Jr.) will be productive or reliable players opposite Rashan Gary, and the Packers need more from their pass-rushing front, not less. Van Ness just became a very important player for the Packers in 2024. Can he start showing signs of a breakout? He’s been concerningly quiet through nine games of his second season.
Why trade makes sense for Steelers
Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire: The Steelers love guys like Preston Smith. High-character football players who play with high effort and can do a little big of everything. His size and play style works well for a team always looking for ends who can set the edge and defend the run. He is an ideal rotational guy as an edge rusher. This is especially true with the team working to get Nick Herbig back into the lineup. This is a great low risk, high reward move that should really solidify the defensive front.