When Preston Smith received the phone call that his trade request was granted by the Green Bay Packers, he admitted that he checked the AFC North standings to look up the record of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Smith didn’t have to worry about whether he would fit into their defense. The edge rusher shared his long love for the idea of playing in their 3-4 defense, especially after his role was reduced when the Packers switched to a 4-3 front this season.
“Just getting out here and getting back in a system I’m comfortable being in and playing at a high level, I’m loving it, man,” Smith said Wednesday afternoon following his first practice with the Steelers at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side. “To be back in this system, it’s like riding your favorite bike again.”
Smith took his first practice spin with the Steelers (6-2), where he’s expected to provide valuable veteran depth at outside linebacker behind All-Pro T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. The Steelers sent a 2025 seventh-round pick to Green Bay for Smith, picking up the remaining $1.6 million of his salary and $423,529 per-game roster bonus. Smith is owed $12 million next season and $12.6 million in 2026.
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Smith, who has six seasons with eight or more sacks, described himself as “a violent edge rusher.”
Steelers defensive tackle Dean Lowry, Smith’s teammate on the Packers from 2019-22, considers him a great guy in the locker room and a versatile defender who should make a seamless transition.
“He plays a great length off the edge,” Lowry said. “He does a really good job of understanding how to use his hands to win. He can win with power and speed and has been able to drop into coverage, too. He fits our defense well. He’s a versatile guy, he’s experienced and Pittsburgh values those guys.”
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin touted the “real NFL resumes and bodies of work” of Smith and wide receiver Mike Williams, saying their two trade-deadline acquisitions are “not unproven guys.” Smith, who turns 32 on Nov. 17, has 68 1/2 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and five interceptions in a 10-year NFL career in which he’s made 138 starts.
“We’re just stacking our chips, man,” Tomlin said. “This is an arms race. It’s highly competitive. As the road gets narrow, we better have capable people. And, obviously man, 68 1/2 career sacks, he’s capable.”
But the Packers were phasing Smith out slowly, as his playing time gradually dropped from 84% of snaps in 2019 to 54.2% this season, when the Packers hired Jeff Hafley as defensive coordinator and installed the 4-3. Smith had two sacks and four pressures in a 30-14 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 3 but only six pressures and one sack in the other eight games as he split time with Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbane and Aaron Mosby.
Smith said he asked for a trade a few weeks ago.
“I didn’t feel like I was being useful in the system,” Smith said. “It wasn’t catering to my playing style.”
Tomlin said he expected “very little adjustment” for Smith in the Steelers’ scheme. His arrival should help lessen the load for Watt, who has played in 91.6% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps through the first eight games as Highsmith (groin) and Nick Herbig (hamstring) each missed three games with injuries.
“I’m just here to embrace my role, help those guys out as much as I can. If they need a break, I’m here to give them a break,” Smith said. “Whatever the rotation may be, I’m here to assist them. I’m here to accept my role and contribute in the best way possible. …
“I’m just happy to be here. I’m ready to win. They made the moves that feel like were right for the team and I’m happy to be a part of those moves. If they feel I can help them win, I’m going to do everything in my power to prove them right and let them know this wasn’t the wrong decision.”
