The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't need to trade for edge rusher Preston Smith. With one of the league's best pairs of edge rushers, quality depth in Nick Herbig, and a strong interior, Smith was very much a luxury purchase for Pittsburgh.
That surplus proved to be crucial on Sunday, when the Steelers escaped their Week 10 contest against the Washington Commanders with a 28-27 win in Landover.
It's safe to say Smith made a strong first impression.
On the opening play of the fourth quarter, Washington pulled out a trick play, asking receiver Dyami Brown to take the ball behind the line of scrimmage and potentially throw a pass.
Instead, Smith came to the rescue, bringing down Brown in the open field for an 11-yard loss. The Commanders punted on the next play, giving Pittsburgh the opportunity to melt seven minutes off the clock.
In all, it was a hard-fought, comeback win for a Steelers team that welcomed Smith into a culture that fits him well.
He reflected on his Pittsburgh debut after the game.
"These dudes are relentless as hell," Smith said. "I love the mindset and the dawg mentality. It's not one person with the dawg mentality, it's everybody. Those are great people to be around."
Smith fits like a glove, and the production is instantaneous. He logged a sack, three tackles, and two tackles for loss in the biggest game of the Steelers' season to date.
He's already made good on the seventh-round pick he was traded for. Pittsburgh's latest injury news, though, will place him in an expanded role.
Highsmith is projected to miss a handful of weeks with an ankle injury he suffered on Sunday. The lines between Smith's role as the third or fourth edge rusher on the Steelers were blurry, but until Highsmith returns he'll now be the second or third most prominent edge threat, upping his usage and thrusting him into an integral role.
After the start he got off to, it's safe to say he already has the trust of the fan base.
