Breaking: Player Reveals Discomfort With Coach Led to…
Preston Smith is happy to be no longer with the Green Bay Packers. The veteran pass rusher was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday in exchange for a seventh-round pick.
Smith recorded 44 sacks during his time with Green Bay (68.5 sacks total in his 10-year career), which placed him 11th on the all-time list of sacks for a Packers defender. The Washington Redskins drafted Smith in the second round of the 2015 draft. He signed with the Packers before the 2019 season.
Smith’s role in the Packers’ defense during the 2024 season had been declining from what he was used to in former defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s system. New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley brought in a new scheme.
Preston Smith wasn’t comfortable
Per Nick Farabaugh with PennLive, Smith admitted Wednesday that he requested a trade from the Packers because the transition to the 4-3 defense under Hafley wasn’t smooth. Smith played in 54% of the Packers defensive snaps, down from the 66% he played in during the 2023 season.
“Preston Smith says a few weeks ago, he requested a trade out of Green Bay,” Farabaugh posted on X. “Didn’t feel comfortable in their new 4-3 scheme, so now he ends up in a 3-4 where he has played most of his career, and feels comfortable. Smith says he already ‘loves the scheme’ and is excited.”
Smith’s role had been declining with the Green Bay Packers
Smith recorded 2.5 sacks for Green Bay this season. He made eight sacks last season, so the 31-year-old linebacker should have plenty of production left in him for the Steelers.
Smith will have a hard target when rushing the passer in his first game with Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Steelers are set to travel to play the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium, so he will be trying to tackle a speedy and shifty Jayden Daniels in Week 10.
