2 NFC Teams Likely Trade Destinations For Steelers Star Defender

The Pittsburgh Steelers have invested a ton in their defense, with stars at most positions, and the unit is garnering high expectations ahead of 2026. Pittsburgh is widely known for its defense, and the 2025 group had a rough go of it. To remedy that, the front office has addressed some of the weak areas, like adding cornerback and safety depth, as well as the defensive line. With a plethora of talent in the room, only time will tell, but a bounce back seems inevitable. 

Within the defense is a group of three star edge rushers, those being TJ Watt, Nick Herbig, and Alex Highsmith. Herbig recently inked a major four-year, $100 million contract extension, and he'll be a part of the edge rusher room for the future. The other two veterans, Watt and Highsmith, are both getting paid nicely, too. Watt's $42 million cap hit keeps him linked to the team, as he'll play in year two of his contract extension. Highsmith's nearly $20 million cap hit makes him yet another investment. Though Herbig is playing on the last year of his rookie deal, 2027 will mean that the edge rusher room will be a luxurious one. 

There have been trade rumors and speculation throughout the 2026 offseason, and after Herbig's extension, things have only intensified. Of the three, the easiest to move would be Highsmith. Watt's contract is huge, and with his regression in 2025, there may be risk involved for other teams. In a recent article from Bleacher Report, Highsmith was one of the names on the trade block. Writer Kristopher Knox listed some destinations for Highsmith, as well as what it might take for a team to gain the Steelers' interest. 

"For Pittsburgh, Highsmith is the most sensible trade candidate of the three, though it would probably take a Day 2 pick and more—possibly another receiver to help Rodgers—to land him," Knox wrote.

Potential Suitors: Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers
Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2027 3rd-Round Pick, Veteran Player

Highsmith landing with one of two contenders in the NFC makes sense from a Steelers standpoint. He's not a player a team would want to face or give to competition. The Lions and Niners could be looking for someone to pair with their star edge rushers, Aidan Hutchinson and Nick Bosa, respectively. It would take a high price, but if the Steelers wanted to move on from the money and get some good compensation in return, it might just make sense with how loaded the room is. 

The Steelers want to be contenders, and they believe they have a roster to make a run in 2026. However, this move is to ensure that 2027's cap space doesn't get too dicey. Highsmith has consistently been a game wrecker for Pittsburgh, adding 9.5 sacks in 2025. With Herbig's extension, the team seems confident in their young edge rusher. If they were willing to move on from Highsmith, it would only open up the newly extended Herbig to gain more reps, something that is difficult to do while playing behind Watt and Highsmith. 

The only issue is that it would create less depth and star power at edge rusher. Highsmith is one of the league's best, so trading him would be bittersweet. However, with the future in mind and the money invested, it seems Highsmith is the odd man out. Pittsburgh would have to ensure that an NFC team, like the Lions or Niners, would be willing to give the proper compensation, as Highsmith has been a cornerstone of the Black and Gold defense. 

The Steelers Might Have No Other Choice

With how good the Steelers have it with their edge rushers, there may be no other choice but to move on from either Watt or Highsmith. With many feeling Watt should be a one-helmet guy, and with his massive contract, Highsmith is the only movable one right now. The Steelers will need the money to address other positions, and gaining some draft capital for a semi-rebuild that appears to becoming could help the trajectory of the team. 

Sometimes, too much of a good thing can be bad in football, and the Steelers have won big with the development of their pass rushers. Trading away Highsmith would be a case of that. 

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