PITTSBURGH — Not solely did the Steelers land Jets huge receiver Mike Williams in alternate for a 2025 fifth-round choose, however the workforce made one other deadline-day transfer in buying Packers cross rusher Preston Smith for a 2025 seventh-round choice Tuesday.
In Williams, the Steelers added a complementary participant to prime wideout George Pickens, who has been a focus of defenses because the workforce traded Diontae Johnson to the Panthers for cornerback Donte Jackson within the offseason.
And by buying and selling for Smith, the Steelers bolstered a place group that has handled various accidents this season with a 10-year veteran who has been a constant starter for 2 organizations over the previous 9 seasons. Whereas cross rusher Alex Highsmith is wholesome now, he missed three video games with a groin harm, and second-year cross rusher Nick Herbig has been sidelined three video games with a hamstring harm. Smith, who has 2.5 sacks and 19 tackles this season, can even assist the Steelers’ run protection because the workforce enters a pivotal stretch of AFC North play.
Although the Steelers’ passing sport has improved since Russell Wilson took the beginning quarterback reins in opposition to Williams’ former workforce, Pittsburgh nonetheless felt it wanted one other receiver to spherical out a gaggle that features Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller and 2024 third-round choose Roman Wilson, who was lately positioned on injured reserve with a hamstring harm.
NFL RankRec. yards1,4151stReceptions82T-2nd– NFL Subsequent Gen Stats
“That when referred to as upon, they’re able to delivering,” coach Mike Tomlin mentioned Tuesday of what he has realized about his huge receiver depth. “And I simply assume with every passing week, there will be extra alternatives to show that, notably as individuals work schematically to reduce George, it creates one-on-one alternative for others.
“… I simply really feel like we have now a gaggle that is hardworking and succesful and may’t wait to point out the soccer world these capabilities and each time we step right into a stadium, they get a chance to take action. And you’ve got seen some examples of it already.”
At 6-foot-4, Williams is now the tallest huge receiver on the Steelers’ roster, and his dimension and soar ball capability make him an essential, versatile member of a gaggle that has a bunch of smaller, speedy gamers.
The Jets evidently felt Williams was expendable after buying Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 15. Nonetheless, the Williams commerce leaves them skinny for just a few weeks at huge receiver.
It means Xavier Gipson (4 catches for 23 yards) strikes into the WR3 function till Allen Lazard returns from injured reserve (eligible in Week 14).
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In Week 6, Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers referred to as out Williams for operating the incorrect route on a goal that resulted in a game-clinching interception in a 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Payments. It is uncommon for a quarterback to criticize a receiver in that method. The subsequent morning, the Jets traded for Adams, reuniting him with Rodgers, his former QB with the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
Not coincidentally, Williams did not apply the following two days regardless that he was wholesome. He was a no-show sooner or later; the following day, he was current at apply however labored off to the aspect within the rehab space. Williams mentioned he did not apply due to “private stuff.” He let the Jets know he was open to a commerce, in line with a supply.
Williams mentioned he wasn’t bothered that Rodgers criticized him publicly, although he indicated the 2 met one-on-one to debate it. Williams’ taking part in time elevated the previous two video games due to Lazard’s harm, however he was all however ignored within the passing sport — solely two targets and one catch for six yards.
“Mike’s a superb man, he’ll be good in that locker room. … He is had a pleasant profession, and generally change of surroundings is nice for sure guys,” Rodgers mentioned Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Present.” “We sort of knew with Davante coming in that there’d be much less targets for everyone, as a result of [Garrett Wilson is] main the league in targets and Tae’s a dynamic participant, he’ll get his targets. If this provides Mike extra alternatives, that is superior and we want Mike properly.”
The Jets signed Williams to a one-year, $10 million contract, anticipating him to emerge as their WR2 as soon as he recovered from ACL surgical procedure. He made it again on time — for the season opener — however he by no means discovered a constant function.
In 9 video games with the Jets, Williams had solely 12 catches for 166 yards and no touchdowns.
Williams, 30, was launched by the Los Angeles Chargers in March after seven seasons with them. A primary-round choose in 2017, he recorded two 1,000-yard seasons and made 309 receptions for 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns. He tore an ACL in Week 3 final season.
The departure of Smith, 31, leaves the Packers with simply two gamers age 30 or older: kicker Brandon McManus (33) and linebacker Eric Wilson (30).
This possible would have been Smith’s final season with the Packers given his wage ($13.4 million) for subsequent season.
Smith’s taking part in time has been diminished of late, taking part in lower than 50% of the defensive snaps in two of the previous three video games.
It does, nonetheless, depart the Packers brief on edge rushers except they will purchase one other defensive finish. Barring one other veteran becoming a member of the workforce, it possible strikes Lukas Van Ness into an elevated function. Additionally they have Kingsley Enagbare and Arron Mosby, who obtained his first profession sack Sunday.
ESPN’s Wealthy Cimini and Rob Demovsky contributed to this report.
