In the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders selected defensive end Preston Smith out of Mississippi State. He played out his rookie contract in Washington before leaving for the Green Bay Packers in 2019.
After playing the last five seasons in Green Bay, Smith has now been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Trade compensation update, per sources: Steelers are sending a 7th-round pick to the Packers in exchange for edge rusher Preston Smith. pic.twitter.com/7Ftww4qrM7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 5, 2024
With the trade, Smith returns to Washington in Week 10 to face his former team. The Steelers will use Smith as a third or fourth rotational piece, but his style of play compliments that of TJ Watt and he will present a problem for the Commanders offensive front.
Smith has racked up 429 tackles (269 solo), 68.5 tackles, 11 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, five interceptions and 27 passes defensed over nine and a half seasons. He is certainly capable of making an impact, and playing alongside Watt, Alex Highsmith, Cameron Heyward and the rest of the Steelers defensive front is going to cause problems for Jayden Daniels.
The Commanders and Steelers face off on Sunday at 1pm EDT at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. The Commanders host the Steelers, and despite playing at home, the offense better be ready for what the Steelers plan to throw at Daniels.