Steelers Release Edge Rusher Preston Smith

The Steelers have released veteran outside linebacker Preston Smith, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, clearing $13.4MM in 2025 cap space and $14.1MM in 2026. Pittsburgh will not have to account for any dead money from the move since they acquired Smith at the trade deadline in 2024. He had no guaranteed money left on his deal, and the Packers were already responsible for the remaining prorations of his signing bonus.

It was reported just over two weeks ago that the team was expected to release the veteran pass rusher. Smith played in eight games, registering just two sacks and two quarterback hits, but he was not active for Pittsburgh’s playoff elimination in Baltimore. Joining a group of outside linebackers that already included the likes of T.J. WattAlex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig, Smith didn’t end up contributing much as a trade acquisition.

The Steelers had Smith working on a four-year, $52.5MM contract, the deal Green Bay awarded him in 2022 upon moving on from Za’Darius Smith. Staying in Green Bay for five and a half seasons, Preston Smith racked up 44.0 sacks with the team. This included four seasons with at least eight sacks; a 12.0-sack 2019 — when the Packers returned to the NFC championship game — headlined this successful stay. As the Packers wanted to free up more playing time for Lukas Van Ness, they moved on from Smith for a mere seventh-round pick.

Smith, 32, had requested a trade months after the Packers had shifted to a 4-3 scheme. Smith had played in 3-4 looks in Washington and during his first five seasons in Green Bay. While he slid into a second-string role in Pittsburgh’s long-held alignment (after starting nine games with the Packers last season), no major impact occurred to justify the Steelers signing off on a $12MM 2025 salary. While the Steelers could have tried to dangle Smith in trades, his seventh-round trade value midseason probably didn’t improve with his lack of a role in Pittsburgh.

As a free agent, Smith likely won’t fetch a contract similar to what he recently held, but as an experienced veteran, he’s likely to get some looks. As he approaches retiring age, Smith may consider how close a team is to contending for a Lombardi Trophy. Otherwise, he may search exclusively for a 3-4 scheme in which he can once again thrive.

Russell Wilson ‘Focused On The Steelers,’ Fields Re-Signing Still Possible

The Steelers acquired Russell Wilson and Justin Fields last offseason in the hopes that one would emerge as their franchise quarterback.

Things didn’t work out as planned. A calf injury to Wilson gave Fields the chance to open the regular season as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback. He led the team to a 4-2 record before a resurgent Wilson returned to the field and ripped off seven wins in eight starts. It looked like the offseason strategy had paid off: the Steelers were leading the AFC North and Wilson was publicly stating his desire to stay in Pittsburgh. Then, the Steelers lost their last four regular season games and bowed out in the first round of the playoffs, leaving them with more questions than answers about their future under center.

Wilson has downplayed rumors of a reunion with Pete Carroll in Las Vegas, saying he’s “focused on the Steelers,” per ProFootballTalk’s Josh Alper. The veteran quarterback remains in “ongoing conversations” with the team, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Wilson’s reported tensions with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith are not expected to be enough of an issue to prevent a re-signing, either, per Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show.

Fields, meanwhile, is expected to have a market beyond the Steelers, per Schefter. Pittsburgh is still interested in re-signing him, but he would likely see competition for playing time, either from a rookie or another free agent signing, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.

Ultimately, neither player established himself as a clear-cut franchise quarterback in 2024, forcing Pittsburgh to consider all of their options. With the 21st overall pick in the draft, a costly trade would likely be the only way to acquire their top prospect. The Steelers also have enough cap space to offer competitive contracts to Sam Darnold or even Aaron Rodgers, though the latter’s personality could clash with Mike Tomlin.