Former Packers edge rusher Preston Smith returns to his first NFL team

Former Green Bay Packers edge rusher Preston Smith is returning to his first NFL home. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Smith — who played 5.5 seasons with the Packers — is signing with the Washington Commanders, who originally selected him in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft.

Smith, who turns 33 in November, was a free agent after being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers in February. The Packers traded Smith to the Steelers at the trade deadline last season. Now, the veteran rusher will join the team coming off a primetime loss to the Packers last week.

Advertisement

Smith will likely help the Commanders make up for the losses of Deatrich Wise Jr., who is now on injured reserve after being injured in last Thursday night’s 27-18 loss at Lambeau Field.

One part of Brian Gutekunst’s free agent spending spree in 2019, Smith helped revive the Packers to start the Matt LaFleur era. He produced 12.0 sacks in 2019 and had 8.0 or more sacks in four different seasons in Green Bay. Smith played in 91 regular season games and had 44.0 sacks and 96 quarterback hits while with the Packers. He also played in seven playoff games, adding another 3.5 sacks and nine quarterback hits.

Last season, Smith produced only 2.5 sacks and four quarterback hits across 17 games with the Packers and Steelers, and he was inactive for Pittsburgh in the postseason.

The Packers received a seventh-round pick from the Steelers for Smith. The draft pick turned into cornerback Micah Robinson, who is currently on the Packers practice squad.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Former Packers edge rusher Preston Smith signs with Commanders

Related Posts

BOMBSHELL FREE AGENCY STUNNER: Future Hall of Fame WR Rejects Jaw-Dropping $51M Buffalo Mega-Offer – Instead Signs Shocking $42.4M Pact with 49ers, Leaving Bills Mafia Devastated and Sparking Massive Debate Over the Biggest Snub in Recent NFL History

San Francisco, CA. The San Francisco 49ers made one of the most surprising moves of the offseason by landing a future Hall of Fame wide receiver after…

BREAKING: 49ers Beg Jauan Jennings to Slash His Salary Demand in HALF for a Return – He Flat-Out Rejects and Walks Away!

San Francisco, CA – March 17, 2026 The San Francisco 49ers’ aggressive offseason strategy has already reshaped the identity of their offense. But behind the headline-grabbing additions…

Bills’ Jaw-Dropping Massive Offer for Jaylen Waddle Finally Exposed After Broncos Snag Him in Blockbuster Trade

The Buffalo Bills have made several notable moves early this offseason in their quest to finally find their way back to the Super Bowl. However, it may…

🚨 SHOCKING LOSS: CHIEFS LOSE FIRST-ROUND PICK TO COLTS — The Kansas City Chiefs have just lost a former first-round pick to the Indianapolis Colts in free agency, leaving fans stunned. The impact on the Chiefs’ roster could be huge, and everyone is wondering how they’ll adjust without this key piece. What happens next could change the course of their season 👀🏈👇👇👇

As the Kansas City Chiefs regroup following a disappointing finish to their 2025 campaign, much of their 2026 outlook hinges on the recovery timeline of superstar quarterback…

🚨BREAKING: SAINTS MAKE A POWER MOVE BY SIGNING FORMER VIKINGS RB WITH A 4.38 40-YARD DASH TO BACK UP TRAVIS ETIENNE JR. The addition of this speedster instantly boosts New Orleans’ backfield depth, giving them another explosive option for the 2026 season. Across the NFL, fans are watching closely to see how this dynamic pairing could shake up the Saints’ offensive game plan. 👀👇👇

New Orleans, Louisiana – The New Orleans Saints are continuing to reshape their roster for the 2026 season with the addition of Ty Chandler, a former Minnesota…

🚨BREAKING: A BLACK WAITRESS FIRED FOR HELPING DAN MARINO AND HIS WIFE RECEIVES THE BIGGEST SHOCK OF HER LIFE THE VERY NEXT DAY. Whаt ѕeemed lіke аn unfortunаte іncіdent quіckly turned іnto а lіfe-chаngіng moment, аѕ the unexрected twіѕt ѕtunned everyone іnvolved. Fаnѕ аnd onlookerѕ аre cаllіng іt а remіnder of how kіndneѕѕ cаn leаd to extrаordіnаry outcomeѕ іn the moѕt unlіkely ѕіtuаtіonѕ. 👀👇👇

  а Legаcy Beyoпd the Fіeld: Dап Mаrіпo Tυrпѕ а Momeпt of Kіпdпeѕѕ іпto а Lіfe-Chапgіпg Oррortυпіty For Keіѕhа, every dаy wаѕ аboυt ѕυrvіvаl. а ѕіпgle mother…