Edge rusher Preston Smith was a surprise addition to the Pittsburgh Steelers at yesterday's trade deadline. His acquisition could signal that Nick Herbig (hamstring) isn't as close to 100% as the team had hoped after the bye week rest. At the very least, Smith can provide tremendous depth at the linebacker position, spelling T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. This is a role that previous defenders Melvin Gordon and Marcus Golden didn't want -- let's hope Smith does.

Sack monster

Smith was an outside linebacker for most of his career with the Green Bay Packers, who ran a 3-4 defensive scheme until a coaching change in 2024. Six times in 10 seasons, Smith has recorded at least eight sacks, including a career-high 12 in 2019. In 2023, Smith had 48 tackles and eight sacks.

'Old' in football years

Nearing 32, Preston Smith is the second-oldest defender on the Steelers roster behind Cameron Heyward.

Durable

Smith has never missed a game in his 10-year career, playing in 155/155 possible games with 138 starts.

A long season

It's a long season for footballers, but even longer without a bye week. Smith was entering Green Bay's bye when he was traded, and the Steelers just had theirs, meaning he could play a game in all 18 regular-season weeks.

Wanted out of Green Bay

Preston Smith said in his first press conference as a Pittsburgh Steeler that he requested a trade from Green Bay weeks ago. "I didn't feel like I was being useful in the system, and it wasn't catering to my play style and moving forward," Smith said.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 5 things to know about new Steelers defender Preston Smith