Insider Reveals '99 Percent' Chance Steelers Cut Respected Veteran

That might not come at the expense of a longer-tenured veteran.

Insider Tony Pauline revealed the Steelers’ most likely potential cut candidate, edge rusher Preston Smith.

“On Tuesday, I was told by people close to the situation that Preston Smith will be a cap casualty and is expected to be cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Pauline reported. Smith, a nine-year veteran, signed a four-year, $52 million deal with his former club, the Green Bay Packers, in 2022.

“The Packers traded Smith to the Steelers in November last year for a seventh-round pick. His cap number the final two years of his deal is projected to be around $27.5 million according to Spotrac. Based on my conversations, I’d say there’s a 99 percent chance Smith gets cut by the Steelers.”

Smith made a handful of plays early in his Pittsburgh tenure, but as a rotational edge rusher, didn’t post a ton of production. He found two of his 4.5 sacks, a single forced fumble, and three tackles for loss during his eight games after being traded.

However, in the Steelers’ biggest game of the season, a 28-14 Wild Card Round loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Smith was a healthy scratch – despite faring well against the run.

Pauline is right in suggesting Pittsburgh is financially motivated to cut Smith. With no guaranteed money left on his deal, he’ll be cut without any dead cap. That will afford the Steelers upwards of $13 million in cap space (Over the Cap), arguably enough to pay for a Fields extension.

Part of Smith’s appeal as a trade target was that he was financially flexible. He’s under contract for two more seasons, but moving on without penalty is something to take advantage of. If Smith wasn’t in the plans for the Wild Card, there isn’t much reason to believe the team is interested in bringing him back as depth in 2025.