For the second consecutive year, the Green Bay Packers have traded away a veteran defender before the NFL trade deadline. This time, edge rusher Preston Smith is heading to the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Smith had been a name mentioned in trade rumors for weeks, and now Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has found a suitor.
This move raises concerns about the Packers’ pass rush, a unit that has already struggled at times this season, even with Smith on the roster. With Smith’s departure, questions loom over how Green Bay will address its pass-rushing needs moving forward. One possibility that has gained traction is a potential trade for New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari, a player who has reportedly been available. Given the Giants’ rumored asking price, Ojulari could be an intriguing option for the Packers as they look to boost their defense for the stretch run.
The Packers’ decision to part with another key defender suggests they may be reevaluating their roster and focusing on the long-term, but the move also opens the door for other teams to potentially capitalize on a weakened pass rush in Green Bay. As the deadline approaches, it’ll be interesting to see whether the Packers make another move or stand pat.
Packers surprisingly trade Preston Smith to Steelers: Full details and grade
On the surface, the Green Bay Packers’ decision to trade Preston Smith for just a seventh-round pick may seem like a lost deal, but this move appears to be largely financially motivated. As reported, Smith’s contract includes cap hits of $17.51 million in 2025 and $18.21 million in 2026 — steep figures for a player whose role is clearly diminishing. Smith has recorded just 2.5 sacks this season, with two of those coming in the Packers’ dominant eight-sack outing against the Tennessee Titans. In fact, Smith played fewer snaps than both Kingsley Enagbare and Lukas Van Ness during Green Bay’s Week 9 loss to the Detroit Lions, further hinting at his diminished role in the defense.
While this trade may slightly hurt the Packers’ pass rush in the short term, it’s a forward-thinking decision by general manager Brian Gutekunst. By moving Smith, the Packers free up future cap space and avoid overpaying for a player whose contributions are waning. Though Green Bay is now without a proven veteran pass-rusher, this deal could be part of a larger plan to shift resources to younger players like Enagbare and Van Ness.
The next step for Gutekunst is crucial: If this trade is the only move made before the deadline, Packers fans could reasonably feel frustrated, especially if the team doesn’t add another pass rusher to help fill the void. One option being discussed is a potential trade for New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari, whose rumored price could make him an appealing target. If Gutekunst pulls off a move like that, the trade of Smith could become a shrewd, long-term win for the Packers.
For now, this trade gets a solid “B” grade. While trading Smith isn’t a season-ruining move — especially given his declining production and snap counts — it does put pressure on younger players to step up. If the Packers can follow up with another move to bolster their pass rush, this deal could pay off in spades. For now, though, we can thank Smith for his contributions over his five-plus years in Green Bay, even as the team looks to the future.
