Steelers Should Expect A Dramatic Training Camp As Strong Hold-In Is Looming

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a lot of noise over the last week as the team has signed a pair of free agents that were in Pittsburgh for a tryout. Those were small additions, and the bigger news was that the organization inked new extensions with two of the premier younger players on the roster. Tight end Darnell Washington got paid, as did outside linebacker Nick Herbig. Both deals run through the 2030 season, so both players are in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future. Herbig's deal has been the major talking point, and there is a chance the new contract can have quite the butterfly effect.

Herbig has not been a starter so far in his career as he has played behind both TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. He would start on any other team in the league, but for now he has been a rotational piece that continues to make the most out of his opportunities. That whole situation made many fans believe that it would be a bit difficult to find a way to get an extension done before the 2026 season, but the organization found a way as Herbig signed a four-year deal worth $100 million earlier this week.

The only issue with this deal is that it would mean that Herbig is making $6.5 million more than Highsmith moving forward. That is of course once the extension kicks in during the 2027 season. This could create some issues for Highsmith who is signed through 2028, and he conveniently missed the second day of mandatory minicamp due to an illness. Beat writer Ray Fittipaldo joined 93.7 The Fan on Friday, and he was interested as to how this will all play out with Highsmith.

"I'll be interested to see what happens," Fittipaldo said. "His representatives might be talking to the Steelers, like, 'Hey, what's going on? Are you going to pay Alex more money?' I wouldn't be surprised Joe, I don't know about you. I would not be surprised if Alex Highsmith held-in during training camp. He's done it before to get a new contract, he might do it again. He might do it this time just out of principle after what happened."

Highsmith held in prior to the 2023 season throughout the offseason program before he got his extension, which shows that he has been willing to do it before. He may do it again, but fans won't get an answer for a while, as he has not spoken with the media and he does not need to until training camp begins.

Highsmith has not spoken since Herbig signed his deal, but he has shown some support in the form of a story post on Instagram. There is seemingly no ill will between the two, Highsmith probably just wants to be treated with some respect from the organization. There could be many different solutions to this issue. Highsmith could get a raise over the final two years of his current deal, he could get some attainable incentives added on to his contract, or the outside linebacker could be traded.

Steelers Could Move Alex Highsmith

With two years left on his deal as mentioned, Highsmith's contract is very tradable. Pittsburgh could move on from the veteran via trade, which would hopefully bring in at least one Day 2 pick for the organization. That could be huge for a team that is trying to land its next franchise quarterback. This would also open up some more snaps for Herbig, as well as second-year player Jack Sawyer. 

Sawyer showed some flashes during his rookie season in 2025, but he is obviously sort of an afterthought in that room with Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig. A team to keep an eye on would be the Philadelphia Eagles, as they have been in the edge market throughout the 2026 offseason.

Let me know your thoughts on X, @brogannoey!

#SteelerNation