Pittsburgh, PA – April 14, 2025. The Pittsburgh Steelers, fresh off a playoff loss, face a retooled roster after losing key defenders in the offseason. To bolster their pass rush, the team is eyeing a high-profile addition to maintain their defensive edge.
Among the departed was edge rusher Preston Smith, traded to Green Bay, leaving a void of 5.5 sacks. Compounding the issue is uncertainty around Alex Highsmith, whose inconsistent 2024 season—5 sacks in 17 games—has sparked trade speculation among league insiders.
The Steelers’ free-agent options include a standout candidate: former Detroit Lions edge rusher Za’Darius Smith. Pro Football & Sports Network’s Mark Stolte predicts Pittsburgh will sign the veteran to fortify their line.
Adding a player of Smith’s caliber after losing Preston Smith would ensure a seamless transition, keeping quarterbacks on edge, Stolte wrote.
Despite turning 32 in 2024, Smith notched nine sacks last season, proving his enduring prowess. The three-time Pro Bowler’s exit from Detroit stemmed from his $11 million price tag, which Lions GM Brad Holmes deemed unaffordable.
It was an amicable decision, Holmes said last month. We couldn’t afford it, plain and simple.
With $2 million in cap space, the Steelers can fit Smith by restructuring contracts like D.K. Metcalf’s, assuming his deal lands near the $11 million he was set to earn. Khan’s cap maneuvers have cleared similar hurdles before.
Smith’s a perfect fit for our system, an NFC scout told ESPN, citing his fit with T.J. Watt.
Smith’s signing would not only bolster Pittsburgh’s defense for a 2025 playoff push but also buy time to develop younger edge rushers like Nick Herbig, ensuring long-term stability alongside Watt.
