Steelers trade for WR Mike Williams, edge Preston Smith

Field Level Media|published: Tue 5th November, 16:07 2024

Sep 29, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (18) celebrates a first down reception during the second half against the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired wide receiver Mike Williams and edge rusher Preston Smith on Tuesday, pending physicals for both players.

The Steelers were linked to multiple wide receivers in the trade rumor mill since training camp. In the Williams trade, the Steelers sent a 2025 fifth-round draft pick to the New York Jets in exchange for Williams and later in the day parted with a seventh-rounder to the Green Bay Packers for Smith.

Williams, 30, has played in all nine games (three starts) in his first season with the Jets but has only 12 catches for 166 yards and zero touchdowns.

In three games since the Jets added wide receiver Davante Adams in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 15, Williams has caught two of four targets for 21 yards.

Williams signed a one-year, $10 million deal with New York in March following seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.

A first-round pick (seventh overall) in 2017, Williams caught 309 passes for 4,806 yards and 31 TDs in 88 games (62 starts) with the Chargers.

The Steelers (6-2) have been looking for receiving help since trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in the offseason and were thought to be one of the frontrunners for 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk until he signed a new contract to stay in San Francisco.

Other than No. 1 receiver George Pickens, who has 35 catches for 548 yards, no wideout on the Pittsburgh roster has more than 14 catches.

Smith, who turns 32 later this month, has recorded 2.5 sacks, four quarterback hits and 19 tackles in nine starts for the Packers in 2024. He's under contract for the next two seasons.

A second-round draft pick by Washington in 2015, Smith has posted 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 strengthens a Pittsburgh defense that ranks No. 2 in the NFL in scoring, allowing just 14.9 points per game heading into Sunday's Week 10 game at the Washington Commanders (7-2).

--Field Level Media

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