In most cases, these types of transactions involve players trying to make money the following year. However, that was not the case for the 31-year-old Smith. He has two years and more than $25 million remaining on his contract.

However, that money is not guaranteed. Smith could be released after 2024 and the move wouldn’t hurt his team’s salary cap, nor would he receive any more money, which would give him extra motivation to succeed in the short term.

While Smith didn’t mention the financial implications, it’s clear that a team with a 3-4 scheme like Pittsburgh offers him the best opportunity to do so.

“It’s exactly what I played the last nine years of my career up until last season,” Smith said. “It’s what I feel comfortable playing in, what I’ve gotten used to. … Just being back in the system is like riding your favorite bike again.”

Smith jumped from one candidate to another, switching conferences along the way. He’ll face a bit of a logjam at edge rusher in Pittsburgh, with TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig filling out the top three. Herbig and Highsmith have missed time this season due to injury, but not at the same time, and both have performed at a fairly high level when facing Watt.

As Herbig approaches a possible return, his new teammate, Smith, tries to fit into the group. If they’re all healthy, the AFC North-leading Steelers will boast one of the deepest groups in the NFL.