Steelers Make Key Decision on Former Packers LB Preston Smith
Linebacker Preston Smith, previously with the Green Bay Packers, had a solid five and a half years with the team, but it seems the franchise parted ways with him at the ideal moment.
In a move ahead of the 2024 mid-season trade deadline, Green Bay traded Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a seventh-round pick after signing him to a four-year, $52 million deal in March 2022. This contract was set to run through 2026.
However, as of February 14, Pittsburgh officially moved on from the Smith experiment, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“Steelers have released LB Preston Smith, whom they acquired before the trade deadline from the Green Bay Packers,” Schefter posted on X.
Now 32, Smith will be an unrestricted free agent in March. Throughout his 10-year NFL career, he’s accumulated 74 tackles for loss and 70.5 sacks, although he recorded just 4.5 sacks last season with both Pittsburgh and Green Bay.
Smith started his NFL journey with the franchise currently known as the Washington Commanders, where he played for four seasons and earned 24.5 sacks.
Max Dible covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on teams like the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Cleveland Browns. He has also worked as a reporter for West Hawaii Today, news director for BigIslandNow.com, and in various roles at Pacific Media Group’s Big Island radio stations before joining Heavy. More about Max Dible
