Steelers Acquire WR Mike Williams and Edge Rusher Preston Smith in Trade
The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired wide receiver Mike Williams and edge rusher Preston Smith on Tuesday, pending physicals for both players.
The Steelers were connected to multiple wide receivers in the trade rumor mill during training camp. In the Williams trade, the Steelers traded a 2025 fifth-round draft pick to the New York Jets in return for Williams. Later in the day, they also gave up a seventh-rounder to the Green Bay Packers for Smith.
Williams, who is 30 years old, has played in all nine games (three starts) in his first season with the Jets. However, he has only managed to make 12 catches for 166 yards and has yet to score a touchdown.
In the three games since the Jets added wide receiver Davante Adams in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders on October 15th, Williams has only caught two of four targets for 21 yards.
Williams signed a one-year, $10 million contract with New York in March after spending seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.
A first-round pick (seventh overall) in 2017, Williams made 309 catches for 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns in 88 games (62 starts) with the Chargers.
The Steelers (6-2) have been in search of receiving help since trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in the offseason. They were believed to be one of the top contenders for 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, but he ultimately signed a new contract to stay in San Francisco.
Aside from their number one receiver George Pickens, who has made 35 catches for 548 yards, no other wideout on the Pittsburgh roster has more than 14 catches.
Smith, who will turn 32 later this month, has recorded 2.5 sacks, four quarterback hits, and 19 tackles in nine starts for the Packers in 2024. He is currently under contract for the next two seasons.
A second-round draft pick by Washington in 2015, Smith has tallied 68.5 sacks, 155 QB hits, 10 forced fumbles, and five interceptions in 155 games (138 starts) with the then-Redskins (2015-18) and Packers.
Smith will add strength to a Pittsburgh defense that currently ranks second in the NFL in scoring, allowing just 14.9 points per game. They will put their defense to the test in their Week 10 game against the Washington Commanders (7-2) on Sunday.
