History of trading Preston Smith and its impact on the Packers

In the United States, as of October 20, 2024, speculation surrounds the potential trade of Preston Smith, a defensive end for the Green Bay Packers. Smith has accumulated 2.5 sacks and 14 tackles over the first six games of the current NFL season, ranking second among the team’s defensive ends with a significant snap count of 58.5%. The veteran player has shown remarkable consistency throughout his career, having missed only one game in ten seasons due to injury. Packers coach Matt LaFleur praised Smith for his reliability and availability on the field. With 44 sacks in over five years with the Packers, Smith holds the sixth position on the franchise's all-time sack list. He has been particularly effective, posting at least eight sacks in each season from 2021 to 2023, thereby making history as the first Packer to achieve this milestone in three consecutive years since Kabe Kampman. Smith’s performance remains strong, being one of only two players in the league (alongside Aaron Donald) with 30-plus tackles and four-plus sacks from 2015 to 2023. Despite these achievements, the possibility of a trade raises questions about the team's future and strategies. Smith himself is motivated to continue achieving personal goals and contributing significantly to the team. He believes he still has the capability to make impactful plays in the league. The considerations around trading Smith come amid the team's overall assessment of their roster and performance this season, illustrating the often risky decisions NFL teams face regarding key players.