Steelers urged to trade Alex Highsmith after Nick Herbig contract extension. Informative update.

The Pittsburgh Steelers face a potentially difficult salary situation at the edge rusher position after giving Nick Herbig a four-year, $100 million extension, with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith also earning expensive contracts. This has fueled trade speculation, particularly around Highsmith, who, despite consistent production (at least six sacks in five straight seasons, 9.5 sacks in 2025), is viewed as the most expendable of the trio due to his perceived inconsistency compared to Watt and Herbig. NFL insider expectations suggest the team could explore trading Highsmith this summer or into the fall, as the combined cap hit could become untenable in 2026.

Key points:
– Herbig’s new deal tightens the Steelers’ edge rusher cap commitments, increasing pressure to manage personnel costs.
– Highsmith is identified as the most likely trade candidate, given Herbig’s extension and Watt’s seemingly long-term role.
– Highsmith remains productive (50 tackles, 9.5 sacks, three pass breakups, one forced fumble in 13 games), but questions about his consistency persist.
– If traded, Highsmith could command a solid return, with teams broadly seeking pass-rush help.
– The Steelers have not publicly tipped their hand, but trade chatter is expected to linger into the 2026 season.

Key takeaways:
– The Steelers may reshuffle their edge defense by potentially moving Alex Highsmith to optimize cap space after Nick Herbig’s extension.
– Highsmith’s value as a pass-rush specialist remains high, but his consistency is a focal point for evaluators.
– Trade discussions are likely to continue throughout the summer and into the early 2026 season as the team balances talent with salary commitments.