Steelers Could Have Shocking Solution For Alex Highsmith Contract Drama

The Pittsburgh Steelers may not be done finding creative ways to handle their expensive outside linebacker room. After committing major money to multiple pass rushers, the next question is whether Alex Highsmith could eventually become part of a complicated contract conversation.

That does not mean the Steelers are looking to move on from Highsmith. It does not even mean there is a serious problem right now. What it does mean is that Pittsburgh has created a situation worth watching after extending Nick Herbig on a massive new deal. Highsmith has been too productive to ignore, but the business side of the NFL can get uncomfortable quickly. He is coming off a strong 2025 season, finishing with 9.5 sacks while continuing to be one of Pittsburgh’s most reliable edge defenders. Highsmith has never been the loudest star on the defense, but his value has been obvious. He rushes the passer, plays the run well, and gives the Steelers a dependable presence opposite TJ Watt.

That is why the financial picture gets interesting. The Steelers already made a major commitment to Herbig, and that deal immediately raised questions about how Pittsburgh views the future of its outside linebacker room. The team has already been forced to think through whether Highsmith, Watt, and Herbig can all fit together long-term, especially after the organization made a massive move to keep Herbig in Pittsburgh. Steelers beat reporter Nick Farabaugh recently discussed whether Pittsburgh could eventually approach Highsmith with a structure that includes incentives instead of a clean, straightforward raise.

"I can’t rule out that they would," Farabaugh said. "I think you look at Highsmith’s deal, he played so well last year, where the Steelers would be very willing to potentially come to that. They did fight Cam [Heyward] tooth and nail, he got incentives that he was almost certainly not gonna hit, and he did not hit. You could put Highsmith on some crazy incentive deal where he’s got to get 15 sacks, plus they’ve got to make the AFC Championship, something like that where it’s very unlikely and tied to team success."

Pittsburgh has always valued Highsmith, but the organization also has to protect itself. Incentives can make a player feel like there is a path to more money without forcing the team to guarantee everything up front. It is not always ideal for the player, but it can become a middle ground when both sides have different views of value.

That was part of the dynamic with Cameron Heyward. Heyward wanted to be compensated after continuing to play at a high level, while the Steelers had to consider age, cap structure, and future roster needs. That situation eventually became a reminder that Pittsburgh can be willing to reward important players, but not always in the exact way those players may want.

Highsmith’s case is different, but the idea is similar. He is younger than Heyward and plays a premium position. That gives him real leverage. However, the Steelers can also point to the amount of money already invested in Watt and Herbig. Pittsburgh may believe it has already paid heavily enough at outside linebacker, even if Highsmith has a strong argument that he deserves more.

If the Steelers attach extra money to big individual numbers and team success, they can make the deal look better without taking on as much risk. A 15-sack season and an AFC Championship Game appearance would be a massive outcome for everyone involved. Highsmith would get rewarded. The Steelers would likely be thrilled because that would mean their pass rush and team reached another level.

Steelers Could Face A Difficult Highsmith Decision

The tricky part is whether Highsmith would accept that kind of setup. Players usually want real guarantees, not unlikely incentives. Highsmith has already proven he can be a high-level starter, so he may not love the idea of needing extreme production and team success to unlock more money. From his perspective, he has already done enough to be valued properly.

From the Steelers’ perspective, the equation is more complicated. They have to think about Watt’s contract, Herbig’s future, Highsmith’s value, and the rest of the roster. That is why this situation could become one of the more interesting business stories around the team.

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