How Mike Tomlin Plans To Handle Trade Additions Made By Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers struck a few deadline-day deals by acquiring wide receiver Mike Williams from the New York Jets and linebacker Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers.

Both moves improve an already-solid Steelers team built to compete in the AFC. However, coming off a bye week, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin didn’t provide a clear-cut answer to the biggest question regarding both Williams and Preston: when should they be expected to suit up and debut?

“There’s some variables in that equation,” Tomlin said, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “First and foremost, the ability to learn. We got to have an above the line assignment component to our play, and then getting a sense of what they’re physically capable of. We got a few days to sort through some of those things.”

While to some, the trade might’ve been unforeseen and surprising, to Smith, the deal came as expected. The 31-year-old logged nine appearances with the Packers this season, but ultimately that fit in Green Bay was enough to prompt some urgency within Smith to make a timely departure before the door closes on 2024.

“I wasn’t surprised when I got the call,” Smith told reporters Wednesday, per team-provided video. “I got what I asked for, and I’m at a place that — a great place — with some great teammates, and I’m excited for the new start, and I’m excited for the rest of this journey for this season.”

Smith added: “I didn’t feel like I was being useful in the system, and it wasn’t catering to my play style and moving forward.”

The Packers shifted gears entering a clean slate by introducing Jeff Jeff Hafley as the organization’s new defensive coordinator. For Smith, this change also introduced an unsuitable challenge that didn’t fare well for him. Through the first nine games of the campaign, Smith had only recorded 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks under Hafley, which was a major dip to what Smith managed to supply Green Bay within the past — Smith totaled 48 tackles and eight sacks in 2023.

Ultimately, with no optimism for the remaining eight games scheduled for the 6-3 Packers, Smith felt there was no other choice but to bid Green Bay farewell.

Williams and Smith, now, get a chance to contribute to the division-leading Steelers (6-2) who are poised for a deep playoff hunt.

“I thought I was dreaming,” Williams explained Wednesday, per team-provided video. “And it was like five missed calls from my agent and then the GM from the Jets called me and he told me about the trade. So, yeah, excited for the opportunity, happy to be here, looking forward to it and ready to get this thing rolling.”

Pittsburgh will face off against the Washington Commanders (7-2) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

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