Preston Smith: PFF| Stats| Wife| Released| Net Worth

Preston Earl Smith is a veteran NFL edge rusher known for his consistency, pass-rush ability, and a long professional journey through several teams. Over ten seasons, he has made contributions to Washington (formerly Redskins), the Green Bay Packers, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and as of September 2025, has recently returned to the Washington Commanders. Here’s a detailed look at his PFF performance, career statistics, personal life (including his wife), release decisions, and estimated net worth.

Early Life and NFL Beginnings

• Born: November 17, 1992, in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

• College: Mississippi State University; he played college football there, gaining recognition for strong defensive play, which helped him get drafted.

• NFL Draft: 2015, second round, 38th overall by Washington.

From his rookie season, Preston Smith showed promise as a pass rusher and run defender, quickly establishing himself in the Washington defense.

PFF Stats & Career Performance

Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades, plus his official NFL stats, give a window into how Smith has performed over his career.

PFF Grades & Metrics

• According to PFF, in 2024, playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers after being traded from Green Bay, Preston Smith had an overall grade of 64.2 among edge defenders, ranking 89th out of ~210 players at that position.

• In pass-rush productivity (PRP) metrics in 2024, his performance dipped: his true pass set win rate and pass rush win percentage were below the average for edge rushers. For example, his PRP was more “below average” compared to his peers.

• Earlier years show stronger production: his 2019 season with Green Bay was especially productive (12 sacks) and in other seasons from 2021 to 2023, he also had good sack totals (around 8-10 sacks per season) and pressures.

Career NFL Statistics (Regular Season)

Here are the key cumulative stats through his NFL career up to 2024:

He has also forced several fumbles and made big plays in crucial moments, which helped cement his reputation as a reliable defense edge rusher.

Contract, Release & Team Moves

Preston Smith’s career has included several major contracts, trades, and releases. Understanding these gives insight into both financials and his performance evaluation.

• 2019: After four seasons in Washington, Smith signed with the Green Bay Packers on a 4-year, $52 million contract.

• 2022: He agreed to a contract extension with the Packers: 4 years, $52.5 million in new money, pushing his total potential earnings with incentives higher. NFL.com

• Trade to Pittsburgh Steelers: On November 5, 2024, Green Bay traded him to the Steelers for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick.

• 2025 Release by Steelers: On February 14, 2025, the Steelers released Smith in a cap-saving move. This release freed up more than $12-13 million in salary cap for Pittsburgh in 2025.

After his release, Preston Smith was a free agent. As of mid September 2025, he has signed with the Washington Commanders, returning to the team that originally drafted him.

Personal Life: Wife & Family

Beyond the field, Preston Smith’s personal life is stable and his family is a significant part of his profile.

• Wife: Preston Smith is married to Realyn Edwards.

• They have been together since around 2015, and were married in July 2021.

• Children: The couple has three children. Their eldest daughter Lauren was born in 2013. They also have another daughter, Phoenix, born in 2022. And in 2024, they welcomed a son named Preston Smith II.

Smith and his family tend to maintain a relatively private profile. Realyn Edwards is not widely present on social media compared to many athlete spouses, according to sources.

Release: Why & When

Preston Smith’s release by the Steelers was influenced by several factors:

• Cap space considerations: The Steelers were looking to manage their salary cap, and Smith’s contract had non-guaranteed money that made the release more feasible financially.

• Performance: In his first season in Pittsburgh (2024), he had modest production: just two sacks in eight games after the trade, plus being a healthy scratch in some crucial games including their wild-card playoff loss to Baltimore.

• Team’s defensive scheme: Smith has been more successful in certain defensive alignments (e.g. schemes allowing for edge rushers with certain roles). The trade to Pittsburgh was partly driven by his desire to be in a 3-4 defense which he was more familiar with. But even then, the Steelers judged that his production did not justify his cap hit.

After the release, he regained free agent status and subsequently re-signed with the Commanders.

Net Worth & Earnings

Estimating an NFL player’s net worth is always somewhat speculative (depends on endorsements, taxes, agent fees, lifestyle, etc.), but we have some credible sources that estimate what Smith has earned and how much he’s worth.

• According to SalarySport, in 2024 Smith was expected to make a total of US$10,000,000 with the Packers/Steelers (counting salary, bonuses, etc).

• His net worth is estimated by SalarySport to be around US$104,826,443.

• That number takes into account his career earnings, bonuses, contracts, etc., but again it’s an estimate and might not fully account for taxes, expenses, or non-NFL income/endorsements.

Recent Performance & Outlook (as of Sept 2025)

• After being released by the Steelers in early 2025, Preston Smith signed with the Washington Commanders. This marks a full-circle moment, returning to the team that drafted him.

• In his last full season (2024, split between Green Bay and Pittsburgh), he recorded 4.5 sacks and 32 total tackles.

• Considering his experience, reputation as a durable player (having played in many games over his career), and his previous success, he may have a useful role with the Commanders, likely in a rotational or mentor-type capacity unless he can re-establish a high level of pass-rush productivity.

Strengths & Weaknesses

To understand why Preston Smith remains a valued player, but also why teams have made release/trade decisions, here’s a balanced look:

Strengths

1. Experience & Durability: Over 160+ games played; able to stay relevant over many seasons.

2. Consistent Pass Rushing Threat: Several seasons with high sack totals; known for flashes of strong performance (e.g. 2019 with 12 sacks).

3. Versatility: Has played under different defensive schemes (3-4 outside linebacker, 4-3 defensive end), which many teams value.

Weaknesses

1. Declining Production in Recent Seasons: Lower sack totals, less pass rush pressure in some seasons. His performance metrics in 2024 are below average in some PFF metrics.

2. Cost & Cap Considerations: Contract size, cap hit, and non-guaranteed portions make him less flexible in team budgeting. Hence, the Steelers released him to save over $12-13 million in cap space.

3. Age and Physical Decline: At 32 (in 2025), edge rushers often see decreases in explosiveness and recovery; this affects snap usage, role, and value.

Summary

Preston Smith has had a solid NFL career — strong early years, multiple seasons of high production, and recognition for his edge rushing ability. His personal life is grounded, married to Realyn Edwards with three children. Financially, his estimated net worth of over US$100 million reflects his long-term contracts and consistent earnings. However, like many veteran pass rushers, recent performance dips, age, and salary cap considerations have led to trades and a release from the Steelers in early 2025. His return to Washington shows there is still interest in what he can offer.