Pittsburgh Steelers release linebacker Preston Smith

The Pittsburgh Steelers officially released linebacker Preston Smith on Friday evening. The team made the news official via their Twitter page. He was a healthy scratch in two of their last three games. The Steelers finished 10-7 overall this year, losing to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card matchup.

The move helps to free up a significant amount of cap space for the Steelers franchise. He was set to count $13.4 million against the cap in 2025 and $14.1 million in 2026, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN.

Through nine games with the Packers this year, Smith 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 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.”

In 163 games so far, he’s tallied 443 total tackles, 74 tackles for loss, five interceptions. From 2015-2018, he spent time with the Washington Commanders. Then in 2019 to 2024, he spent the bulk of his career with the Green Bay Packers.

In the 2015 NFL Draft, Smith was drafted in the second round with the No. 38 overall selection to the Washington Redskins.

On3’s Brian Jones also contributed to this article.