NFL Rumors: Preston Smith Moves From Packers To Steelers After Mike Williams Deal | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly not done adding players before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET.

After NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the AFC North team had acquired wide receiver Mike Williams from the New York Jets, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that the Steelers were signing linebacker Preston Smith in a trade with the Green Bay Packers would have.

According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, the Packers received a 2025 seventh-round draft pick in return.

While the 6-3 Packers are in the thick of the NFC playoff race and don't fit the traditional deadline-seller mold, Smith turns 32 this month and has played just 54 percent of available defensive snaps in nine games. Football reference.

By making the move now, Green Bay can develop younger players in the playoffs while also getting something in return.

He's also scheduled to make a base salary of $12 million in 2025 and again in 2026 on a contract that may not age particularly well, so the Packers were more proactive in making this trade.

As for the Steelers, they add another notable name to a defense that ranks second in the league in points allowed per game (14.9) and is a big reason the team won the AFC North leads 6-2.

Smith may not be the same player he was at his peak this season with 2.5 sacks, but he has three straight seasons with at least eight sacks. He recorded 48 tackles, eight sacks, four passes defended and two forced fumbles in 2023 and is considered Pittsburgh's veteran leader in the stretch run.

He's also durable, having played at least 16 games in every season since being drafted in 2015, and is in an ideal pass-rushing situation with the Steelers. Finally, opposing offensive lines still need to account for TJ Watt and Cameron Heyward with double teams, which should open up blitzing lanes for Smith.

The result could be far more production than he had with the Packers this season.