Goodbye Preston Smith!

[OldSchool101]

Solid reports that Preston Smith has been traded to the Steelers for a 7th Round draft selection.

I’m not sure how I feel about this yet. Much will be determine once I can grasp who is his replacement. It didn’t help our cause in 2024 as of now anyway.

 

[milani]

Solid reports that Preston Smith has been traded to the Steelers for a 7th Round draft selection.

I’m not sure how I feel about this yet. Much will be determine once I can grasp who is his replacement. It didn’t help our cause in 2024 as of now anyway.

A draft pick does not help us now. Who fills his spot on the field? Do we activate from the practice squad? This sort of reminds me of losing Rasul Douglas?

 

[OldSchool101]

A draft pick does not help us now. Who fills his spot on the field? Do we activate from the practice squad? This sort of reminds me of losing Rasul Douglas?

Good ?

I will say according to Spotrac Trading Preston left us with 0 sunk $$
In addition 13-14Mil to play with each season in 2025-26

Could we be upgrading and it’s not announced?

 

[OldSchool101]

Very distinct possibility we feel good about elevating Lukas Van Ness with a bigger role.
That in turn would bring both Brenton Cox Jr and Aaron Mosby up the depth chart.

Could Brenton Cox Jr. Earn A Bigger Role In 2024? - Zone Coverage

During the undrafted free-agency period, the Green Bay Packers managed to scoop up an intriguing yet raw prospect in OLB/EDGE in Brenton Cox Jr. The

zonecoverage.com

 

[MJS]

Very distinct possibility we feel good about elevating Lukas Van Ness with a bigger role.
That in turn would bring both Brenton Cox Jr and Aaron Mosby up the depth chart.

Could Brenton Cox Jr. Earn A Bigger Role In 2024? - Zone Coverage

During the undrafted free-agency period, the Green Bay Packers managed to scoop up an intriguing yet raw prospect in OLB/EDGE in Brenton Cox Jr. The

zonecoverage.com

Sad to see Preston go. He’s a good guy and I wish him well.

 

[DoURant]

Always was a fan of Preston, but the writing was on the wall. His snaps per game have been going down since week one, and the Detroit game was his lowest of the season. (21 I believe) I saw where his QB pressure% was tied for 5th on the team, through this past weekend. Cap savings in 25' and 26' will be huge, and Pittsburgh is taking on his 2024 salary, which contributed to why they only received a 7th, vs a better pick. Wish him the best, he is a class act, and carried the G well.

 

[DoURant]

One thing I loved about Preston Smith was his durability. He suited up every...single...week, and there is a lot to say about that. "The best ability, is availability", and his whole career has been that way.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

A draft pick does not help us now. Who fills his spot on the field? Do we activate from the practice squad? This sort of reminds me of losing Rasul Douglas?

Except, when we lost/traded Douglas the Packers were 2-5 and seemed to be ready to pack it in.

Today, the Packers are 6-3 and are still one of the better teams in the NFC.

I get the future financial savings, but someone correct me if I am wrong, they could have cut Preston at the end of the season and still saved the same amount of money (less the $2M this season).

Maybe Preston wanted out and was unhappy in GB?

Packers see a ton of potential in Mosby and/or Cox and want to give them more snaps?

 

[Sanguine camper]

Smith had 5 good seasons but it was clear he really dropped off this year. Hence getting next to nothing for him other than a late 7th round pick. The cap savings is significant however. I think we're going to be seeing more of Brenton Cox the rest of the season. It's not like LVN is showing much as an edge rusher. Smith has been the Packers best edge rusher against the run so he'll be missed in that regard. Disappointed that Gute didn't make a move to help the pass rush. Going back to the second half of last season, the pass rush has been anemic to say the least.

 

[OldSchool101]

Maybe Preston wanted out and was unhappy in GB?

Packers see a ton of potential in Mosby and/or Cox and want to give them more snaps?

I think it’s the latter. It’s funny but I have been wondering where Brenton Cox Jr disappeared to this year. He had a really good Camp and in year 2 it’s where you really would like to introduce them more regular. I think there’s possibly some untapped potential there. He had some outside extra curricular stuff that was distracting starting before the Draft. It really bounced what was likely a Mid Round draft grade right off the board.

 

[Schultz]

He was never playing here in 2026, maybe not even 2025, so the cap savings do not enter into my evaluation of the trade. If he was going to continue getting less snaps and they like one of the young guys, then I get it. I just do not believe that getting even younger is always a good thing. There is so little veteran leadership on this already undisciplined team.

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

He became a liability when we switched to a 4-3. He needed to go during final cut downs.

 

[Voyageur]

Preston fit the 3-4 defense, not the 4-3 we see more prevalent now. It doesn't necessarily mean his skill levels have diminished, it's just that they don't fit the Packer needs. He did a good job in GB, and we should be happy for him, if he's going to get a chance to play.

 

[Pkrjones]

I like the veteran leadership & availability Preston gave GB, but his production was nowhere close to the $$ invested in him. I'm happy Gute got a 7th rounder for him and that Hafley now can give his snaps to a younger, higher upside player. Best wishes, Preston, but it's LVN time!!

 

[Sunshinepacker]

Good to know Gute doesn't think this roster is close to contending for a Super Bowl this season as he trades the Packer's best edge defender for an all-important 7th round pick. The Packers defensive line has been abysmal this year and is an obvious void on the team which Gute didn't seem to mind. Actions speak louder than words and his actions indicate that Gute doesn't believe the Packers defensive line is the only thing keeping them from contending for a Super Bowl this season.

 

[lambeaulambo]

Myles Garrett please stop out from behind that Wizard of Oz curtain and guarantee a super bowl

 

[Heyjoe4]

Good ?

I will say according to Spotrac Trading Preston left us with 0 sunk $$
In addition 13-14Mil to play with each season in 2025-26

Could we be upgrading and it’s not announced?

The trade was done for cap space, and Smith is deep into the back nine of his career. Gluten got a 7th round pick back and cap space. Pretty good move.

Makes it all the more important for the DL to step up their game. Gary seemed to finally wake up against the Lions. LVN has been a disappointment so far. He would do himself and the team wonders by having a big 2H to the season.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I like the veteran leadership & availability Preston gave GB, but his production was nowhere close to the $$ invested in him. I'm happy Gute got a 7th rounder for him and that Hafley now can give his snaps to a younger, higher upside player. Best wishes, Preston, but it's LVN time!!

Agreed. LVN has a golden opportunity to step up and help his career and the team.

 

[milani]

The trade was done for cap space, and Smith is deep into the back nine of his career. Gluten got a 7th round pick back and cap space. Pretty good move.

Makes it all the more important for the DL to step up their game. Gary seemed to finally wake up against the Lions. LVN has been a disappointment so far. He would do himself and the team wonders by having a big 2H to the season.

What I am hearing is that Preston struggled in the 4-3.

 

[Sanguine camper]

Agreed. LVN has a golden opportunity to step up and help his career and the team.

I doubt that's going to happen. LVN is stiff with a limited pass rush repertoire. I think his best position is to move him inside. If I'm the Packers, I'm telling LVN to beef up quick. Gute appears to have whiffed on another first rounder. I think at this stage, their in salvage mode with LVN.

 

[Sanguine camper]

At his press conference yesterday, Gute highlighted the opportunities for Mosby and Cox. While that doesn't rule out LVN, its interesting that he's talking about putting free agents into the lineup instead of a high first round draft pick. I think that tells you everything you need to know about what the front office thinks about LVN's abilities.

 

[OldSchool101]

At his press conference yesterday, Gute highlighted the opportunities for Mosby and Cox. While that doesn't rule out LVN, its interesting that he's talking about putting free agents into the lineup instead of a high first round draft pick. I think that tells you everything you need to know about what the front office thinks about LVN's abilities.

In limited time last year Cox Jr. looked good. He flashed some good plays and also sprinkled some Rookie mistakes, such as losing contain. He sometimes is shot out of a cannon and needed better lane integrity. That says Cox Jr stacked a nice training camp. I recall him being mentioned several times as a player that was on the rise this Spring.

I still think he should’ve been drafted. I don’t think he was a top 100 selection or anything substantial, but I think he could’ve easily been drafted in Rounds 5-6 area without too much surprise. He’d have been slightly higher if not for some off field issues that pushed him down the board after dismissals from 2 programs.

The negatives aside. Several scouts
projected him as a good fit as a 4-3 Mike coming into the NFL. Yet his real talent is as a disruptive Rusher with above average Run Stop. He brings with him a tenacity to shed blocks against Tackles and TE’s. His forte is to create disruption , as noted by over 40+ pressures and a 20%+ TFL rate across a College season. He's not a speedster, he’s quick more than fast but he’s agile enough to make the pocket messy blending Speed to Power

 

[Sanguine camper]

The Lions went out and obtained Zadarius Smith for very little. The Packers have a need at pass rusher and CB, but yet Gute didn't help the team. I think that supports my assertion that it always seems the team is looking at the future and happy to be a playoff team that plays its worst football when it counts. Talent wise, I think the Lions are actually behind the Packers but are a lot hungrier and focused. Right now that points to a culture difference between the two franchises.

 

[El Guapo]

Why is nobody mentioning Enagbare? He should get more snaps and possibly replace Smith.

Aside from the veteran leadership, the Packers aren't losing anything here. This reminds me a lot of when Aaron Kampman left Green Bay. He wasn't able/willing to adjust to the 3-4 so was able to continue his career (with Carolina I think??).

We needed to move on. We got something for it and cleared up $2M in cap space this year, which if we catch fire again, could be used to add a player for the playoffs if needed.

 

[El Guapo]

Right now that points to a culture difference between the two franchises.

It can also be looked at desperation. Some teams swing for the fences when they see a glimmer of hope. I'm not sure that the Packers are "one guy away" from winning the Super Bowl, so not sure how adding someone at this point was going to make the difference.

Let's not forget that trading Rasuul Douglas actually benefitted the Packers. The trade of Preston Smith could ignite the defensive line. We'll have to wait and see.