Preston Smith comments make Packers' trade deadline inactivity look even worse

The Green Bay Packers are notorious for not adding players to the roster at the NFL trade deadline, which Aaron Rodgers had no problem commenting on earlier this week. And once again, the team failed to do so this year.

In fact, not only were the Packers not buyers at the deadline on Tuesday, but they actually turned into small sellers. For the second straight season, Green Bay shipped a veteran defender out of town, sending Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a seventh-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.

From an overall standpoint, with Smith's snap count decreasing and his cap hit increasing significantly over the next two years, the move makes sense, even if Brian Gutekunst didn't get much in return.

Here's the thing, though. This move apparently could have happened weeks ago, as Smith dropped a bomb in his first statements to the Pittsburgh media on Wednesday.

"A few weeks ago, I requested a trade," Smith said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I didn't feel like I was being useful in the system. It wasn't catering to my play style. Moving forward, I wasn't surprised when I got the call."

"I got what I asked for, and I'm in a great place with some great teammates. I'm excited for the new start."

Wait, what? So, not only did Smith want out of Green Bay, which is surprising enough, but he actually requested to be traded weeks ago? Well, that just makes things worse.

Packers look even worse after Preston Smith's bombshell

It's no secret that most trades don't happen overnight, as there are so many different variables that have to be taken into consideration.

But come on. The Packers apparently had weeks to move Smith. Even doing this just one week ago would have given Gutekunst ample time to figure out ways to make other moves ahead of Tuesday's deadline.

And make no mistake about it; Green Bay needed some upgrades, particularly on the defensive side of the football.

The Packers clearly have a need at cornerback. And while they were never going to go out and get a guy like Marshon Lattimore, who ultimately went to the Washington Commanders, they sat idly by and watched the Baltimore Ravens acquire veteran Tre'Davious White for next to nothing.

Green Bay undoubtedly needed help with the pass rush as well. Look no further than the fact that Devonte Wyatt's 3.0 sacks lead the team for proof of that. And the Packers had a plethora of options on that front — Azeez Olujari, for instance — and obviously did nothing.

Look, this is still a good football team. And at 6-3, the Packers are in a great spot as it pertains to the NFL playoff picture heading into their bye week. But knowing they had weeks to make it better and again just refused to do so has to be frustrating for Green Bay fans.

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