Former Mississippi State linebacker Preston Smith will still wear yellow in his new team uniform. But instead of the green and yellow of Green Bay, it will be the black and yellow of Pittsburgh.

Smith was traded from the Packers to the Steelers for a 2025 seventh-round NFL Draft pick on Tuesday, the league’s trade deadline. He racked up 2.5 sacks and 19 tackles in nine games played for Green Bay.

The trade for Smith strengthens a Steelers position group that already has one of the league’s best pass rushers in TJ Watt, but has also dealt with several key injuries. Alex Highsmith returned from a three-game absence with a groin injury and second-year player Nick Herbig missed three games with a thigh injury.

As for winning this season, it’s a great move for Smith. The former Bulldog leaves a Green Bay well behind Detroit and Minnesota in the NFC North standings, and its hopes for a wild-card berth aren’t much better. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is in the hunt not just for an AFC wild-card spot, but for the AFC North championship as well.

Smith’s first game in black and yellow will be a big one. Pittsburgh (6-2) is set to travel to Washington (7-1) for Sunday’s noon kickoff on CBS.

While at Mississippi State, Smith played in 47 games and collected 134 tackles, 27 tackles for a loss, 16 sacks and seven forced fumbles and was named first team All-SEC following his season of seniors since 2014.

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