By RJ Kraft, Dianna Russini and Matt Schneidman
The Pittsburgh Steelers continued to add on deadline day as they acquired defensive lineman Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers, according to a team source. The Packers will receive a 2025 seventh-round pick in exchange for the pass rusher, a source with knowledge of the deal told The Athletic.
Smith, a 10-year veteran, has spent the last six seasons with the Packers and prior to that played four years with the Washington Commanders.
In nine games this season, the 31-year-old defender has 19 tackles, 4 quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks and 2 tackles for loss. This season, Smith has been more of a rotational piece as his snap count (54 percent) is the lowest of his career since his rookie season in 2015. Over 10 years, Smith has 68.5 sacks with a career-high 12.0 coming in 2019 — his first year in Green Bay.
Pittsburgh leads the AFC North thanks to a defense that ranks ninth in total yards per game (310.3), fourth in rushing yards allowed per game (90.5) and second in points per game (14.9). The unit’s 15 takeaways are tied for fourth in the league. Smith provides the Steelers’ defense with an additional pass rusher to spell T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig.
In addition to Smith, Pittsburgh also acquired wide receiver Mike Williams to bolster its group of pass catchers for quarterback Russell Wilson.
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Required reading
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- NFL Power Rankings Week 10: See where the Steelers and Packers stack up
- Playoff projections 2024: The Athletic’s model projects the field
(Photo: Steve Roberts/Imagn Images)
