Steelers release veteran pass rusher in cost-cutting move months after acquiring him from Packers

The Pittsburgh Steelers started prepared to have 2025 free agency season. The process has included release of former second-in a pick acquired by Steelers as before the year’s trade deadline.

Pittsburgh released Veterans Extra Linebacker Preston Smith, a move that free up $ 12 million in cap space (H / T in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).

Smith spent eight games with steelers after Pittsburgh acquired him the way of art With the packers in exchange for 2025 seventh-in pick. And a lot went into a little after Smith requested a trade that was based off their desire to play in a team who uses 3-4 defense.

“It’s just that I’ve been playing in nine years of my career,” Smith said a little after being traded, Via Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “Just to be back in the system is just riding your favorite bike again.”

While it appeared to be good in the paper, Smith is a lot of impact on time with steelers. And when only two bags in eight games and healthy wound for Pittsburgh’s wild, card playoff damage to the raven.

By releasing him now, the Steelers and Given Smith an early start to free agency, which publicly begins on March 12. Smith, 32, to have a decent market despite the last year’s dip in the production. And with eight sacks in 2023 and talled 41.5 bags of 2019-23 as included from life-high 12 bags in 2019.

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From 2015 According to Pick, Smith’s 70.5 Career Bags to 14 most of some active player. His first four seasons in Washington before weighing the next six more times when ugly, where she was carried up 44 sacks.

While Smith will begin looking for a new team in Steelers and now try to get its replacement. Pittsburgh has three, the fourth to the passage of Rushers now in place with the first TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith and back Nick Herbig, who had a life-high 5.5 sacks last.