“It’s just what I’ve been playing in the last nine years of my career. Just being back in the system is like riding your favorite bike again.” Those were Preston Smith’s words soon after he left Green Bay to join the Steelers this season. To bring him into the fold, the Steelers even sent a 2025 7th-round pick to the Packers. Things were supposed to lift off for the former second-round pick wearing black and gold in 2024. It looked like a win on paper for the Steelers, but it didn’t really turn out the way both parties would have wanted. After just a single season in Pittsburgh, Smith is on the move again for the fourth time in his career.

See, the thing is, Smith wasn’t really comfortable playing as a defensive end under Packers DC Jeff Hafley’s system. Switching from his natural linebacker position led to a massive drop in Smith’s numbers. He only recorded 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks out of the 9 games he played within the 4-3 defense. So, when the Steelers came in with their 3-4 defensive setup, Smith didn’t think twice before jumping ships. However, he couldn’t live up to his hype, playing just 8 games in black and gold.

Smith’s defensive productions dropped lower than his final stretch in Green Bay. Racking up 13 tackles, two sacks, and just one fumble recovery. And for the final two games of the Steelers season, he wasn’t even in the lineup because of a healthy scratch. Playing only 30% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps, it was only a matter of time before they got rid of him. Yes, this might affect Smith’s search for a new team before next season. For the Steelers, the decision to cut Smith couldn’t have turned out any better. Choosing to part ways with the 32-year-old has helped them free up $13.4M in cap space for next season.

You could say it’s a waste of a pick for a player that didn’t even last two seasons. But there’s always a positive to a negative. The Steelers’ total cap size has now gone up to $53.2M. They now have the 8th largest cap space, with Minnesota Vikings just above them, holding a cap space of $58.01M. However, no matter whom they throw out of Pittsburgh before next season. It would still not be enough to match the Patriots’ cap space, standing at a whopping $119.8M. So, watch out for the Pats—they could be a bit busy in this year’s free-agency market. Speaking of free agency, there’s another player in black and gold who might not shy away from testing the unrestricted free-agent market.

Justin Fields has thrown an ultimatum to the Steelers’ front office

With the latest reports coming out of Pittsburgh that the Steelers front office is leaning heavily toward a return of Russell Wilson, Fields may have to rethink his future. Still only 25, Fields has a lot to prove in the NFL. And he cannot do so without having the starter role to himself. So ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler gave an interesting insight into Fields’ demands to return that may not sound surprising. “This one’s complicated because I do know there’s some sentiment in the building for bringing back Justin Fields. Both sides, Fields and the Steelers, are certainly open to a potential reunion. Fields wants a realistic shot to start. He wants a clear path to be the guy for a full season which he was not last year.” 

Like why wouldn’t he want to return as a starter? In Russ’ absence, the former first-rounder scored 10 TDs ( 5 on the air and 5 on the ground). Even led his team to a 4-2 start before Mike Tomlin sat him down for Wilson. So, that clear rage to return and prove his worth still lingers in Fields’ mind.

But of course, the final decision is in the hands of the top Steelers front office. It’s up to them whether they are willing to go ahead with Wilson who is clearly at the twilight of his career. Or they want to bring some stability to the offense under a QB who is almost 10 years younger than his competitor.