The Steelers released Smith on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Smith began last season with Green Bay before he was traded to Pittsburgh in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick in early November. The veteran pass rusher recorded a sack in his first game with the Steelers in Week 10 but didn't notch another one until Week 18. Smith generally underperformed during his half season with Pittsburgh to the extent that he was a healthy scratch for the team's wild-card loss to Baltimore. By parting ways with Smith, the Steelers will clear $12 million in cap space for next season, per Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Smith tallied 32 total tackles (12 solo), including 4.5 sacks, over 17 regular-season games with the Packers and Steelers in 2024.

EDGE Analysis

Smith was traded from the Packers to the Steelers in early November, but he was actually more productive during his time in Green Bay. The veteran pass rusher recorded six more tackles and 0.5 more sacks as a Packer, playing 138 additional defensive snaps despite appearing in only one more game. Smith's time in Pittsburgh may also be nearing an end, as he was a healthy scratch in two of the team's final three games this season. However, Smith remains under contract through 2026, so he could very well stay in Pittsburgh and serve as a rotational edge rusher next season.

Smith (coach's decision) is inactive for Saturday's AFC wild-card game against the Ravens, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith was acquired by the Steelers from the Packers in early November, and across eight regular-season games he posted 13 tackles (six solo), including 2.0 sacks. However, the veteran edge rusher will be sidelined for Saturday's contest, which means Nick Herbig and Jeremiah Moon will serve as the backups behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.

Smith recorded three solo tackles, including 1.0 sacks and an additional tackle for a loss, in Sunday's 28-27 win over the Commanders.

EDGE Analysis

The outside linebacker played Sunday after getting traded to the Steelers on Tuesday. Now, with Alex Highsmith dealing with a potentially serious ankle injury, Smith may be in line to see more snaps. The veteran had 19 tackles (six solo), including 2.5 sacks, in nine games with the Packers this season.

Smith is active for Sunday's game against Washington, Dale Lolley of the Steelers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Despite being acquired at the trade deadline Tuesday, Smith appears to have picked up the Steelers' defensive playbook well enough to make his Pittsburgh debut Sunday. He'll rotate with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith at outside linebacker, and Smith should see heavy usage immediately due to Nick Herbig (hamstring) being sidelined.

Smith will make his debut with the Steelers on Sunday against the Commanders, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith was acquired by the Steelers from the Packers on Tuesday, and the 2015 second-round pick picked up the defensive playbook quickly enough for Pittsburgh to clear him to play. Across his nine appearances with Green Bay, Smith accumulated 19 tackles (six solo) and 2.5 sacks. With Nick Herbig (hamstring) ruled out for Sunday's game, Smith should be the top choice to rotate in at outside linebacker behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.

The Steelers acquired Smith from the Packers on Tuesday in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith's snap share had dwindled to less than 50 percent in three of the last five games, and through nine contests, he accrued just 2.5 sacks on the season, so it's unsurprising that the Packers are opting to move on from the soon-to-be 32-year-old in favor of younger pass-rushing talent currently on the team. With the Steelers, Smith will work opposite standout T.J. Watt, which may open up more opportunities for him to get to opposing quarterbacks.

Smith (illness) returned to practice Wednesday, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith missed Tuesday's practice with an illness, but it appears he's already moved past the issue after returning to the field Wednesday. The 31-year-old outside linebacker has recorded eight-plus sacks in each of his last three seasons, and he's expected to remain a solid pass rusher in 2024.

Smith is being limited by an illness Tuesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The details of Smith's ailment are unknown at this point. It's not likely the veteran was planning on playing much during the Packers' preseason finale versus the Ravens on Saturday, but if he's absent, it could open up a few additional reps for 2023 first-rounder Lukas Van Ness.

Smith and the Packers agreed to a restructured contract Wednesday, creating $2.4 million in cap room, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith has three years left on a four-year, $52 million extension he signed in 2022. The veteran edge rusher has at least eight sacks in four of his five seasons with Green Bay and started all 17 games last season on his way to 48 tackles (28 solo), eight sacks and two forced fumbles.