Steelers release outside linebacker Preston Smith
As the NFL now fully heads into the offseason with all 32 teams moving on from 2024, the start of the 2025 league year is less than a month away. As teams prepare for the frenzy that is free agency, all teams must be salary cap compliant by 4 PM EST on March 12. For this reason, there will be plenty of news across the league as players are released as salary cap casualties.
On Friday evening, the Pittsburgh Steelers made their first transaction to clear some salary cap space as they announced they have released outside linebacker of Preston Smith.
We have released LB Preston Smith. @BordasLaw
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 14, 2025
Acquired by the Steelers from the Green Bay Packers ahead of the trade deadline in November for a 2025 seventh round draft pick, Preston Smith came to the Steelers as outside linebacker depth and appeared in eight games. Playing 161 defensive snaps in black and gold, Smith registered 13 tackles, three of which were for loss, 2.0 sacks, and a fumble recovery. Despite his solid production, Smith found himself on the inactive list both in Week 17 against the Kansas City Chiefs and in the Steelers Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
The release of Smith was expected as he was set to cost $13.4 million against the salary cap in 2025 according to overthecap.com. Because he was acquired via trade, there is no dead money in Smith’s contract and will be completely off the books for the Steelers in 2025. In the contract inherited from the Packers, Smith had two more years with $13.4 million and $14.1 million cap hits had the Steelers kept Smith on the roster.
Stay tuned to Steel Curtain Network for continued coverage as the Steelers navigate through the 2025 offseason.
Thought his play was ok, but that price to be a back-up/insurance makes this a no-brainer for the Steelers.
There are better options for that price, plus the money would be better spent somewhere else.
This move was so obvious we could have done a pre-write when the season ended.
Much needed cap space.
I liked his play style, sort of reminded me of Stephon Tuitt…
I like Preston. He was the best FA OLB they brought in for years, but that price tag – waay to much to let sit. I’m guessing Holcomb is next.
Larry O shouldn’t be far behind either…
Right now the Steelers sit at 53.2 million in cap space. I imagine they cut the following players:
Larry O. 7 million
C. Holcomb 6 million
Patterson 2.8 million
Lowry 2.5 million
Adams 2.25 million
This gets them to 73.7 million in cap space for 2025–or I suppose about 69.5 million cause you have to count the next five players in the top 51.
They should be able to sign some quality players with this amount of space.
It’s also interesting to note that their starting strong safety is making half a million less than their back up special teams ace SS–in Killebrew. They could save another 3.2 million by releasing him.
Wow! I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Steelers have that much money.