Green Bay Packers trade Preston Smith to Pittsburgh Steelers
The Green Bay Packers are trading linebacker Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to multiple reports. Smith has been in Green Bay since 2019 and was a consistent pass rusher for the franchise for the last five-plus years. In exchange for Smith, the Steelers sent a 2025 seventh-round draft pick to the Packers.
Through nine games this year, Smith has recorded 19 tackles, two tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. During his time with the Packers, the former Mississippi State star has tallied 42 tackles for loss, 44 sacks and 14 passes defended in 91 games.
In March 2019, Preston Smith signed a four-year, $52 million contract with the Packers. He joined Green Bay after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Washington Commanders. In 64 games with Washington, Smith registered 29 tackles for loss, 24.5 sacks and four interceptions.
During the 2022 offseason, Smith signed a four-year, $52.5 million contract extension with the Packers. He is signed through the 2026 season and his salary for this year is $3.2 million. In 2025, Smith is set to make $12 million.
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Preston Smith continues to play at a high level
In June, Smith talked about playing at a high level in his 30s. “I really be thinking I’m 29 and 28 sometimes. I feel like I’m aging backwards,” Smith said, per the Packers’ official website. “But when y’all keep reminding me I’m in my 30s, I start to really feel old. But I feel good, personally.”
“Preston is the heartbeat, man,” Packers defensive lineman Rashan Gary said at the time. “Everybody feeds off him. When Preston talks, everybody be quiet and listen because when 10 years talk, he’s coming from experience and understanding. That’s what P brings.”
Smith is joining a Steelers team that has a strong set of pass rushers in T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. In eight games this year, Watt has 6.5 sacks and Highsmith has three. For the Packers, they still have a strong set of pass rushers, including Gary, Lukas Van Ness and Devonte Wyatt who leads the team with three sacks.