The Pittsburgh Steelers became more active than many expected as the 2024 NFL trade deadline ended. They spent months seeming to chase every wide receiver who was even remotely available. They reportedly explored trading for receivers like Brandon Aiyuk, Davante Adams, and most recently, Christian Kirk. As the big names got snapped up, the fan base and the media debated the merits of trading for someone like Darius Slayton or Adam Thielen.
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Panthers' Adam Thielen.
Ultimately, General Manager Omar Khan made a decision and traded the New York Jets for Mike Williams. The Steelers gave the Jets a fifth-round pick for the 30-year-old receiver. However, he wasn't done there. He also traded a seventh-round selection to the Green Bay Packers for Preston Smith. In his 10th season in the league, Smith has played both linebacker and defensive end.
There were questions about the Smith trade despite Pittsburgh only giving up a seventh-round pick. His numbers in Green Bay were lower, but their defensive coordinator had changed their scheme from a 3-4, where Smith played the best, to a 4-3.
Fans complained the loudest about the trade for Williams. Most felt they gave up too high a pick for a mid-level receiver. Ray Fittipaldo from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette joined The Fan Morning Show on 93.7 The Fan the morning after the trade. He said fans don't need to worry. Khan was willing to make these trades because of their anticipated compensatory picks they'll receive in 2026.
"You mentioned the compensation, now likely a sixth for Justin Fields, a seventh for Preston Smith, and then a fifth for Mike Williams," said Fittipaldo. "I think the Steelers are expecting to get compensatory picks back in the spring. If you look at all the free agents, they have guys, Dan Moore, James Daniels, Najee Harris, Justin Fields, that's four right off the top of my head. If they're not really active in free agency, they're going to be getting some mid-round picks back. I think that's why Omar felt comfortable making these moves."
The Steelers have several players who will enter free agency after this season. Like Fittipaldo said, those include Dan Moore Jr., Najee Harris, James Daniels, and Justin Fields. However, that is far from all of them. The list is long and also includes Donte Jackson, Elandon Roberts, Cam Sutton, Jaylen Warren, and Russell Wilson.
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Steelers' new WR Mike Williams.
The simple explanation of how compensatory picks work is that NFL teams are given draft picks if they lose more free agent talent than they gain. While the Steelers will surely retain some players, some will likely leave. For example, they have already declined Harris' fifth-year option, and it seems unlikely they will keep both quarterbacks in Wilson and Fields.
Steelers' Addition Of Preston Smith Will Give The Defense A Boost
Fittipaldo added that having Smith on the roster will help the entire defense. While many fans see it as just what Smith can do if he starts immediately, the real bonus comes in how he completes the linebacker room.
The defense has been losing players since before the season started. First, Markus Golden retired just a week after signing a contract with the Black and Gold. Then Alex Highsmith injured his groin during Week 3 and missed a few weeks. DeMarvin Leal suffered a neck injury during the Week 5 game and was placed on the injured reserve list. Nick Herbig injured his hamstring in that same game and has been out.
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Steelers' new LB Preston Smith.
Highsmith returned to the field two weeks ago and was an immediate difference-maker. The Steelers hope to get Herbig back for the upcoming Week 10 game. According to Fittipaldo, Having Highsmith and Herbig back and adding Smith gives that group a real boost.
Now, they don't have to "kill" Highsmith and T.J. Watt. Having everyone healthy means that Watt and Highsmith don't have to play 80%-85% of the snaps. The fact that they can rotate in two solid linebackers allows them to save the dynamic duo for when they are really needed.
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