The Steelers released veteran outside linebacker Preston Smith on Friday, a move that clears $13.4 million in cap space for the 2025 season.
Smith was acquired from the Packers for a seventh-round pick in October. He had two years and $24.6 million remaining on his contract, but none of it was guaranteed. With free agency a month away, the Steelers now have $56.5 million in cap space and they likely will clear more in the next few weeks with other player releases.
In eight games with the Steelers, Smith had 13 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.
The Steelers have three outside linebackers under contract for 2025: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig. Jeremiah Moon is an exclusive rights free agent and is likely to return.
The 2025 draft class is loaded with talented edge rushers, and while the Steelers aren’t likely to use an early pick on one, they could take one in the middle or later rounds of the draft.
Watt is entering the final year of his contract and will turn 31 in the fall. Highsmith, 27, has three years left on his contract, and Herbig, 23, has two years left on his rookie deal.
Steelers add ILBs coach
The Steelers have hired New Castle native and former Pitt linebacker Scott McCurley as their inside linebackers coach, replacing Aaron Curry.
McCurley spent the past five seasons as linebackers coach for the Dallas Cowboys. Before joining the Cowboys, McCurley spent 13 seasons with the Green Bay Packers in coaching administration and defensive quality control, then as a defensive assistant and assistant linebackers coach.
McCurley is the second new assistant added to Mike Tomin’s staff, joining secondary coach Gerald Alexander.
Ray Fittipaldo: rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com and @rayfitt1 on X. Gerry Dulac: gdulac@post-gazette.com and @gerrydulac on X
First Published: February 14, 2025, 11:59 p.m.
Updated: February 17, 2025, 12:36 p.m.
