According to multiple reports, the Green Bay Packers are trading veteran Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The deal at the deadline sends the experienced running back from Green Bay to Pittsburgh while allowing the Packers – an NFC contender – recouping the draft capital used to acquire point guard Malik Willis and making changes to defensive play in the second half of the game. 2024.
What does the deal mean for the Packers and Steelers?
Here is a brief summary of the transactions between both parties:
Why a trade makes sense for the Packers
Packing wire: A respected leader in the locker room and a capable key position player, Smith has proven to be a viable trade candidate in many situations, even for a competitive team like the Packers. Smith will turn 32 at the end of this month. He has only 10 pressures and 2.5 sacks in nine games this season. He played just 21 snaps last week, including five rushing snaps. He took snaps that could aid develop younger players like 2023 first-round draft pick Lukas Van Ness and third-year veteran Kingsley Enagbare. He is not expected to be with the team in 2025 and is not in good financial shape after this season. Add it all up and the Packers could feel lucky if they get a seventh-round pick at the deadline. Experienced as a standout outside linebacker in a 3-4 formation, Smith wasn’t as productive as a 4-3 defensive end early in the season. He will get a chance to return to the 3-4 in Pittsburgh. The Packers are certainly taking a risk by trading for a veteran at a premium position, especially considering the overall lack of production among the position group. There is no guarantee that Van Ness or Enagbare (or even Arron Mosby or Brenton Cox Jr.) will be productive or reliable players against Rashan Gary, and the Packers need more, not less, from their rushing attack. Van Ness just became a very essential player for the Packers in 2024. Could it be starting to show signs of breaking through? He was disturbingly peaceful throughout the nine games of his second season.
Why a trade makes sense for the Steelers
Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire: The Steelers love players like Preston Smith. Players with high character who play with great commitment and can do a little bit of everything. His size and playing style work well for a team that is always looking for finishes that can create leverage and defend the run. He is an ideal rotation player as an edge rusher. This is especially true for the team working to get Nick Herbig back into the lineup. This is a great low risk, high reward move that should really strengthen the defensive front.
