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In the wake of the Pittsburgh Steelers signing edge rusher Nick Herbig to an extension, there has been no shortage of buzz about the team possibly trading fellow edge rusher Alex Highsmith.
The Steelers inked Herbig to a four-year, $100 million contract extension that includes $42 million guaranteed, and now Pittsburgh has three high-paid edge rushers when you also include Highsmith and T.J. Watt.
On Wednesday, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the veteran is not in attendance at the Steelers’ mandatory minicamp, which added fuel to the fire that Highsmith could be dealt.
“A league source confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is not at practice on Wednesday, the second day of a mandatory three-day minicamp,” Fittipaldo reported.
MORE: Steelers unexpectedly fire assistant coach after 3 months
However, the Steelers have since clarified the situation, with the team’s public relations director, Burt Lauten, revealing Highsmith’s absence is illness-related.
“Sources: Alex Highsmith is not present today at practice due to an illness but will continue to be at the practice facility as he has been all offseason. Confirmed by me,” Lauten wrote.
There you have it, folks, nothing to see here.
The Steelers have a lot of money invested in the edge rusher position and there figures to come a point where they’ll have to part with either T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith.
Highsmith is the more likely of the two to get traded, as Watt is the face of the franchise and Highsmith only has one more year left on his deal after 2026.
MORE: Packers get bad news with latest Josh Sweat trade rumor
That said, with the Steelers going for it once again this season, it’s more likely the team will hold on to him for another season and then re-evaluate things in 2027.
But, if the Steelers have a down season and things aren’t looking good by the trade deadline, it’s very possible Highsmith will be moved, as his value will be lower in a contract year.
If Highsmith hits the trade block at any point, there will be plenty of suitors, even with his recent injury history that has seen him miss 10 games combined the last two years.
Edge rusher is one of the most important positions in the NFL and productive players at the position like Highsmith don’t become available very often.
The veteran has posted six or more sacks in each of the last five seasons, including a career-high 14.5 in 2022. He finished with 9.5 in 2025 despite missing four games.
MORE: Browns GM explains goal behind Myles Garrett trade
It’s tough to put together a list of teams that would be willing to trade for Highsmith because there are always plenty of squads looking for more edge rush help.
It’s conceivable the Steelers could get a third-round pick for the veteran, which would amount to a strong return.
Continue reading...
The Steelers inked Herbig to a four-year, $100 million contract extension that includes $42 million guaranteed, and now Pittsburgh has three high-paid edge rushers when you also include Highsmith and T.J. Watt.
On Wednesday, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the veteran is not in attendance at the Steelers’ mandatory minicamp, which added fuel to the fire that Highsmith could be dealt.
“A league source confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is not at practice on Wednesday, the second day of a mandatory three-day minicamp,” Fittipaldo reported.
MORE: Steelers unexpectedly fire assistant coach after 3 months
However, the Steelers have since clarified the situation, with the team’s public relations director, Burt Lauten, revealing Highsmith’s absence is illness-related.
“Sources: Alex Highsmith is not present today at practice due to an illness but will continue to be at the practice facility as he has been all offseason. Confirmed by me,” Lauten wrote.
There you have it, folks, nothing to see here.
Why Alex Highsmith could be traded
The Steelers have a lot of money invested in the edge rusher position and there figures to come a point where they’ll have to part with either T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith.
Highsmith is the more likely of the two to get traded, as Watt is the face of the franchise and Highsmith only has one more year left on his deal after 2026.
MORE: Packers get bad news with latest Josh Sweat trade rumor
That said, with the Steelers going for it once again this season, it’s more likely the team will hold on to him for another season and then re-evaluate things in 2027.
But, if the Steelers have a down season and things aren’t looking good by the trade deadline, it’s very possible Highsmith will be moved, as his value will be lower in a contract year.
Why Alex Highsmith will draw interest
If Highsmith hits the trade block at any point, there will be plenty of suitors, even with his recent injury history that has seen him miss 10 games combined the last two years.
Edge rusher is one of the most important positions in the NFL and productive players at the position like Highsmith don’t become available very often.
The veteran has posted six or more sacks in each of the last five seasons, including a career-high 14.5 in 2022. He finished with 9.5 in 2025 despite missing four games.
MORE: Browns GM explains goal behind Myles Garrett trade
It’s tough to put together a list of teams that would be willing to trade for Highsmith because there are always plenty of squads looking for more edge rush help.
It’s conceivable the Steelers could get a third-round pick for the veteran, which would amount to a strong return.
Continue reading...
