The Green Bay Packers were predicted by many to add a pass rusher in free agency. While Rashan Gary made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career last year, the rest of the Green Bay’s defensive ends left a great deal to be desired. Going into 2025, many feel that the Packers need to add a pass rusher, but Green Bay chose to address the offensive line (Aaron Banks), cornerback (Nate Hobbs), and wide receiver (Mecole Hardman) in free agency.
And while there remains the possibility that the Packers add one via the NFL Draft or trade, general manager Brian Gutekunst recently told reporters that the team believes the players that they have will improve enough so that the position is not one of high priority.
That being said, there are a few free agents still available that Green Bay could sign, and one of them is a very familiar face.
NFL Analyst Urges the Green Bay Packers to Re-Sign Preston Smith
That name, of course, is Preston Smith, whom the Packers traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the NFL trade deadline last year.
Khristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes that the two sides would benefit from a reunion in 2025:
“The Green Bay Packers traded pass-rusher Preston Smith to the Steelers at last year’s deadline, but they should consider bringing him back now.
“While the Packers recorded 45 sacks as a team last season, Rashan Gary was the only Green Bay defender to record more than five. Smith logged 4.5 sacks with the Packers and Steelers last season and reached eight sacks in each of the previous three seasons.”
Smith, of course, was signed by the Packers ahead of the 2019 NFL season and had a solid run in Green Bay. In five and a half seasons, he tallied 44.0 sacks, which ranks 11th in franchise history.
The Green Bay Packers Will Not Bring Back Preston Smith
The problem with Knox’s suggestion, though, is that it was not the Packers who initiated the Smith trade. It was Smith himself.
Prior to 2024, Green Bay utilized a 3-4 defensive alignment under defensive coordinator Dom Capers, Mike Pettine, and Joe Barry. After Barry was fired following the 2023 season, Jeff Hafley was hired and implemented a 4-3 scheme.
Smith found that he did not like playing in a 4-3 defense and asked the Packers to trade him. There were no hard feelings on either side, but both felt it was best for them to part ways.
The long-time veteran only had 4.5 sacks for Green Bay and Pittsburgh last season. It is hard to believe that the Packers would have interest in bringing him back, even if he wanted to return.
