"Trading [Alex] Highsmith Close To A Certainty": Steelers Insider Gives Update On Trade Situation

The Pittsburgh Steelers just signed Nick Herbig to a massive contract extension, which has opened up a lot of speculation about what is going to happen with the team's other star edge rushers. Committing a lot of money to a guy who didn't get many starting reps was bold and created a lot of questions for the football world. Herbig is definitely very deserving of a payday, but paying starter money to a backup often suggests there could be a move to correspond. 

Between TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith, there has been plenty of conversation about the futures of both players. Watt has been a fan favorite for years and is the most expensive of the two. Highsmith is right up there with Watt in terms of fan support, but his cheaper salary is more enticing around the league. His production is extremely valuable, especially with his contract. It matches well together, but the current situation in Pittsburgh could turn into a trade, eventually. 

The edge rusher position is one of the most important positions on the field and has a major impact on every play. The Steelers' current room reflects that importance financially and production wise. Newly hired head coach Mike McCarthy calls it the "premier position" and believes the Steelers have arguably the best in football. That could change and what Christopher Carter, a Steelers reporter with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, recently stated in a chatroom regarding Highsmith's future, may influence that position surplus in Pittsburgh.  

"I do think trading Highsmith is close to a certainty -- but next year," Carter wrote. "It happens this year if someone aggressively pursues him. But with all the other signings they need to make in the coming years, unless they trade Watt, I see Highsmith on the move in 2027."

Based on Carter's comments, fans can expect Highsmith on the roster in 2026, unless a team goes all in on him. It appears that for the Steelers to unload him, another team would need to overpay. However, 2027 is apparently an entirely different story. Carter expects Highsmith to be on the move next year. Thinking about how recent mock drafts have gone, that could suggest the Steelers would trade him to go after a franchise-shifting quarterback. 

Losing Highsmith would hurt the depth at edge rusher in Pittsburgh, but with how Herbig has looked in limited action, the production likely wouldn't take too big of a dip. The emergence of Jack Sawyer would also make the Steelers feel more comfortable losing such a key piece of the defense, thinking that replacing him for a younger, cheaper player would open up new financial avenues for the organization. That same reason is why there's trade speculation for Watt. This is a premier position on the field as mentioned, but with how much Pittsburgh has invested into this position, it prevents improving other areas with high price tags. 

If Carter's projection is accurate, the Steelers will have a very strong edge rushing room in 2026, but it is expected to lose Highsmith in 2027. Highsmith has reportedly been dealing with an "illness," preventing him from practicing. That has created some speculation that he is unhappy that he is on a team-friendly contract and Herbig got a bigger deal. If Highsmith becomes unhappy with the organization about his contract, a trade might happen sooner, rather than later. 

Steelers Reporter Suggests Alex Highsmith May Be Traded In 2027

There's a lot of moving parts with this Highsmith situation. This position group is extremely expensive now and it may be in the Steelers' best interest to separate the group. It could possibly help round out the team for more success on the field, at least from a financial standpoint. After all, it has been nearly a decade since the Steelers have won a playoff game, and maybe funds need to be allocated elsewhere for an overall better roster.

That needs to change and the future of Highsmith may play a major role in that. Time will tell what's next for these trade rumors.

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