Former Packers edge rusher Preston Smith shines in first game with Steelers

Preston Smith had a sack and a tackle for loss in his first game with the Steelers on Sunday.

Former Green Bay Packers edge rusher Preston Smith didn’t wait long to make an impact with his new team. Five days after being traded from by the Packers to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Smith delivered two big plays across 23 snaps in the Steelers’ 28-27 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

Smith produced a 1-yard sack of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in the third quarter and made a tackle for loss — on a play losing 11 yards — on third down to start the fourth quarter. The sack put the Commanders behind the sticks and eventually forced a field goal attempt; the tackle for loss forced a punt.

Smith finished with a 72.1 overall defense grade at Pro Football Focus. It represented the third-highest grade on the Steelers defense on Sunday and Smith’s second-highest grade of the 2024 season.

Smith asked the Packers for a trade, and the team obliged, sending him back to the 3-4 defense in Pittsburgh. Across 23 snaps as a standout outside linebacker, Smith played nine snaps against the run, 12 as a pass-rusher and two in coverage. The veteran played his first nine seasons in the NFL in the 3-4 defense and feels more comfortable standing up on the edge of a three-man front.

The Steelers planned to use Smith as a rotational edge rusher behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. However, Highsmith suffered an ankle injury during the win over the Commanders, which could put Smith into a featured role opposite Watt for the foreseeable future. The win Sunday improved the Steelers’ record to 7-2, so Smith will be playing snaps for a legitimate contender down the stretch.