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.