PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Preston Smith was not surprised to be traded by the Packers, he said he got what he asked for.
The 31-year-old outside linebacker/defensive end requested a trade a couple of weeks ago because he didn’t feel he was used correctly or a good fit in the Packers new 4-3 defense. Smith played four years in Washington and five years in Green Bay, always in a 3-4 scheme. It allowed him to have a couple of big seasons-12 sacks/11 tackles for loss in 2019 and even eight sacks and 21 quarterback hits last season. This year the lowest snap percentage of his career, outside of his rookie season, at 54% of the defensive reps.
He did start all nine games with the Packers this season, but only 2.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and six solo tackles. Smith believes he’s stepped into a Steelers system with which he’s very familiar. He said it’s not only like riding a bike, but your favorite bike again.
Smith has watched the Steelers only previously preparing to play against their offense. He didn’t even know what the Steelers record was this year. The Georgia native has done a little personal scouting of TJ Watt in trying to see how he’s been so successful.
There are a few faces he knows. He played with current Steelers Director of Player Development Darrel Young in Washington. He also knows offensive lineman Broderick Jones, in an odd way. He watched Jones play in his final high school basketball game because his cousin was a teammate of Broderick’s.
“That’s kind of crazy to see him in the NFL and now on the same team,” Smith said. “It dates me.”
What else he said dated him was remembering a 2015 pre-draft visit with Mike Tomlin. He was coming out of Mississippi State and they had a memorial sit down, at least from his end.
“I just love his energy,” Smith said. “I always admired him and his work just to be a coach like him and make it to this level. It inspires people like me to be a head coach at this level.”
“I’ve always admired Mike Tomlin from afar. Being here to able to work with him, being in the first team meeting for me and seeing how things go. I love him as a coach already.”
Now this self-proclaimed violent pass-rusher who can also play the run is a part of a team looking for a first playoff win since 2016.
“We’re just stacking our chips,” Tomlin said of adding Smith. “This is an arms race. It’s highly competitive. As the road gets narrow, we better have capable people, and obviously, 68.5 career sacks, he’s capable.”
We’ve seen it before where veteran outside linebackers come here and are unhappy with their snap counts. Smith said he will do whatever.
“I’m just here to embrace my role to help those guys out as much as I can,” Smith said. “If they need a break, I’m going to be there for them to get a break. Whatever the rotation may be, I’m here to accept my role and contribute in the best way possible.”