The Pittsburgh Steelers have made some exciting additions to their roster, and their two new players, Mike Williams and Preston Smith, are poised to make NFL history. Williams, a wide receiver, and Smith, an edge rusher, joined the Steelers in trades with the New York Jets and Green Bay Packers, respectively ¹.
What’s historic about their joining the Steelers is that they could become the first players in franchise history to play in 18 regular-season games. Since neither Williams nor Smith had a bye week with their previous teams, they’ve already played in nine games this season. With the Steelers having already had their bye, both players could potentially play in nine more games, assuming they remain healthy ¹.
This feat would be remarkable, considering only one player, Leonard Williams, has achieved this since 1931. Williams played eight games for the New York Giants and 10 games for the Seattle Seahawks in 2023 ¹.
*Historic Precedent*
While Williams and Smith are on track to make history, it’s worth noting that T.J. Watt, the Steelers’ perennial Pro Bowl linebacker, has already made his mark on the NFL record books. Watt became the first player to lead the league in sacks three different times, achieving this feat in 2020, 2021, and 2023 ².
*Challenges Ahead*
As Williams and Smith integrate into the Steelers’ lineup, they’ll face challenges in adapting to their new team. However, their experience and skills will likely make a significant impact. Smith, in particular, has a better chance of making history, given his consistent playing time throughout his career. Williams, on the other hand, is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in 2023 ¹.
The Steelers’ next game against the Washington Commanders will be a crucial test for Williams and Smith as they strive to make NFL history.
