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Steelers OLB Preston Smith reveals he requested trade from Packers

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Preston Smith
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Newly acquired Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) outside linebacker Preston Smith revealed Wednesday he requested a trade away from the Green Bay Packers (6-3).

Smith, 31, cited an unnatural fit in first-year Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley‘s 4-3 scheme. The Steelers run a 3-4 defense, which Smith played in for the first nine seasons of his career. Smith said he requested the trade a couple weeks ago ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.

“It’s just what I’ve been playing in the last nine years in my career,” Smith said, via Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “Till this past season, it was what I was comfortable playing in and what I got used to playing in the previous nine seasons. Just being back in that system is like riding your favorite bike again.”

Smith was quietly one of the most productive pass rushers in football during those nine seasons, compiling 66.5 sacks. He tallied a career high 12.0 sacks in 2019 and recorded at least 8.0 sacks in the last three seasons. Smith has just 2.5 sacks in nine games this season.

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Preston Smith joins familiar defensive scheme with Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have 19 sacks this season after putting up 47 in 2023. It certainly isn’t for a lack of talent, as Smith joins a front seven which includes T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Cam Heyward, Nick Herbig and Keeanu Benton.

Smith is under contract for the next two seasons at $12 million and $12.6 million, respectively. He leaves the Packers as the franchise’s 11th all-time sack leader.

“For him to be here still five and half years later and produce like he’s produced, he’s done a lot of good things for us,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said. “I’m really appreciative. He played a lot of good football for us and won a lot of games. I wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”