Instant analysis of the Packers trading DE Preston Smith to the Steelers

Age, production, the young talent behind him on the depth chart and recent snap counts all made Preston Smith a potential trade candidate for the Green Bay Packers, and a deal was struck before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPNThe Packers will trade Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday.

Sore Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinelthe Packers get a seventh-round pick in exchange for Smith.

The Packers are 6-3 and a contender in the NFC, making a trade at the deadline doubtful. But Smith turns 32 later this month and has just 10 pressures in nine games, and the Packers have been playing Lukas Van Ness and Kingsley Enagbare more and more at defensive end opposite Rashan Gary.

With Smith in Pittsburgh, the Packers can also begin adding Arron Mosby and Brenton Cox Jr. in the pass-rushing rotation.

Last week, Smith played fewer snaps than both Van Ness and Enagbare, and Mosby – who had a half-sack – made his debut at defensive end. Smith played just five snaps as a pass rusher.

The move is not without risk. Edge rusher is a premium position, and the Packers are just willing to reduce their depth at defensive end. Smith is also a respected leader in Green Bay’s increasingly young locker room. Any kind of injury on the defensive line or internal turmoil could make Smith’s absence a big one in the final two months of the season.

However, the Packers need Van Ness to develop on the field, and Smith — given his age and cost for next season — wasn’t likely to be around in 2025.

For the second straight season, the Packers have traded a veteran quarterback. Last season, Green Bay sent cornerback Rasul Douglas to the Buffalo Bills at the deadline.

Smith was signed by the Packers as a free agent in 2019. He produced 44.0 sacks and 96 quarterback hits over six seasons and 91 games in Green Bay.