Steelers' Preston Smith Gives Truthful Answer When Asked About Likely Reduced Snap Counts In Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers were expected to acquire a wide receiver before the trade deadline, and they did, bringing in Mike Williams from the New York Jets. However, they surprised many by making an additional trade for linebacker Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers for a seventh-round pick.

Smith is in his 10th year in the league after being drafted in the second round in 2015 by the then-Washington Redskins, now the Commanders. He was signed by the Packers in 2019. During his time in the league, he has played both defensive end and linebacker, depending on the defensive system. Smith told the media after his first practice that he requested a trade from the Packers and got exactly what he wanted by coming to the Steel City. 

The Packers recently switched their defense from a 3-4 to a 4-3 model. The Steelers use a 3-4 scheme, which better fits Smith's skills. During the first nine games of the season with the Packers, Smith racked up 19 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, four quarterback hits, and two tackles for a loss. Those aren't tracking toward the best season of his career, but the defensive change was likely a contributor. 

That's why Jeff Hawthorn, the sports director of 93.7 The Fan, told Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson during The Fan Morning Show that the Steelers are lucky to have him, especially for a seventh-round pick. He said the team has been grabbing guys off the practice squad to play with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, like Ade Ogundeji and Eku Leota, but they don't bring the wealth of experience that Smith does. Hawthorn said they had even brought Markus Golden in, but he only stayed briefly before deciding to retire.    

"They've been looking for somebody like this and to get somebody like that, for a seventh-round pick, who's familiar with the 3-4, who seems hungry," said Hawthorn. "He requested a trade. He wants it. The thing I worry about in the back of my mind is, and I asked him this directly, is he is going to be cool with just a couple of snaps a game if that's the way it plays out. We'll see. He said he's gonna do whatever, he already loves it here, but I love that add for depth."

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin is considered a defensive mastermind in the league and has long run a 3-4 defense. That model is one that Watt and Highsmith have taken well to. It seems unlikely that the system will change anytime soon. 

Smith will not get the bulk of the defensive snaps. How much he plays will, in part, will depend on Nick Herbig's return from injury. With both Herbig and Smith however, Watt and Highsmith can return to playing their normal amount of snaps. They have been playing more than they should much of this season so far because they haven't had those other linebackers to round out the room. 

Steelers' Omar Khan Not Worried About Next Year

Many Steelers fans have been critical of General Manager Omar Khan's decision to give up a fifth-round pick for Williams and a seventh for Smith. They are concerned because the team is already on the hook for either a fourth or sixth-round pick for quarterback Justin Fields -- depending on his total number of snaps this year. 

They are worried that the Steelers will be wiped out of late-round picks in 2025. However, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said that the organization is expecting to get several compensatory picks back. 

The league gives compensatory picks if a team loses more free agent talent than they gain in the offseason. The Steelers have numerous players who will be free agents after the 2024 season, including Fields, Najee Harris, Dan Moore Jr., Elandon Roberts, and Jaylen Warren. 

How do you think Smith will fit into the Steelers' defense? Click to comment below. 

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