The Green Bay Packers wanted to open the door to more opportunities for the team’s young edge rushers, so general manager Brian Gutekunst sent soon-to-be 32-year-old defensive end Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.
Kingsley Enagbare, a 2022 fifth-round pick, and Lukas Van Ness, a 2023 first-round pick, were both playing more snaps than Smith at defensive end in recent games. They will continue as the primary players opposite Rashan Gary and may see an uptick in snaps overall. Without a doubt, the Packers will need more disruptive production out of Enagbare and Van Ness over the second half of the season.
In terms of play time and opportunities, the biggest beneficiaries of Smith’s departure could be Arron Mosby and Brenton Cox Jr., two undrafted free agents who made the 53-man roster coming out of training camp but have been buried on the depth chart.
General manager Brian Gutekunst said Mosby and Cox Jr. have “earned” more opportunities and he’s “excited” for the pair to get more snaps moving forward. He also thinks an infusion of youth up front will “help” the Packers over the second half of the season.
Mosby, who played some off-ball linebacker for the Packers last year, was a preseason star this summer while transitioning back to 4-3 defensive end. Cox Jr. has natural burst and pass-rushing talent but remains inexperienced and raw at the NFL level.
“Brenton, I think he’s eager, and we’re eager to see him,” Gutekunst said.
Last week, Mosby shared a sack of Jared Goff with Gary after he got around Lions right tackle Penei Sewell, who appeared to trip while retreating in pass protection. He had a strip-sack and an interception during the preseason. Mosby has played only seven defensive snaps but has been a regular on special teams, appearing on 116 snaps (or 55 percent).
Cox has been a healthy scratch in each of the Packers’ first nine games. He could be active for the first time in his NFL career when the Packers visit Chicago coming out of the bye on Nov. 17.
Smith produced only 10 pressures to start the 2024 season. The Packers are now banking on young players to take advantage of opportunities and help the defensive front break out down the stretch.
The Packers have frequently moved on from aging veterans over the last two years, mostly out of a desire to open more doors for young talent to get on the field and develop in the fire. Tuesday’s trade of Smith is the latest example.
