With over $71 million of base salaries tied up in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top three outside linebackers in 2026, it’s fair to question how possible it is to maximize those lofty investments. Maybe the plan isn’t to have all three by the start of the 2026 season.
Could a trade involving Alex Highsmith be on the horizon?
“If they’re paying Nick Herbig $7 million more a season than they’re paying Alex Highsmith, I just don’t know how that’s gonna work…So I kind of feel like there’s another shoe that’s gonna drop here,” the P-G’s Ray Fittipaldo said Wednesday via 93.7 The Fan’s Morning Show. “If they did try to keep this group together and they did [a trade] after the season, isn’t your value for Alex Highsmith diminished? So if you were gonna do it, wouldn’t you do it now?
“If it’s me and I’m the GM, I would probably trade him now because I think you would get more for him now rather than trading him with one year left on the contract as opposed to two.”
Remember back to just a year ago on June 30 when Omar Khan traded Minkah Fitzpatrick for Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith. Nobody saw that coming, but the Steelers were committed to an all-in window and thought that move could help the team. Could something similar happen this year with Highsmith?
Most would probably prefer that the Steelers deal Watt and his $41 million APY, but his contract is much less attractive to potential suitors around the league. Highsmith has a base salary of just $14.5 million this year and $15.5 million next year. He’s also three years younger and coming off a more productive season than Watt. If there’s one prime trade piece in the room, it’s very obviously Highsmith.
“I’ll stick with my gut reaction, and I’ll say by the time the regular season gets here, no. All three of them will not be here,” Fittipaldo said.
So what might the Steelers be able to get in return for Highsmith? The edge rusher market is red-hot after the haul the Cleveland Browns got for Myles Garrett.
“I think a second-round pick would be fair,” Fittipaldo said.
Pittsburgh likely already has an idea what teams are willing to give up for Highsmith. Trade buzz surrounded both Herbig and Highsmith around the time of the draft, and Jeremy Fowler confirmed the Herbig trade interest in the wake of the extension Tuesday.
Other EDGE trades this offseason include Garrett (Jared Verse + 2027 1st + 2028 2nd + 2029 3rd), Jonathan Greenard (2026 3rd + 2027 3rd), and Rashan Gary (2027 4th). Playing roughly the same number of games in 2025, Highsmith more than tripled Greenard’s sack total, and Highsmith is three months younger than him.
Fowler noted that the Steelers intend on keeping all three of Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig but also said the EDGE market has been unpredictable.
Could Omar Khan have another summer surprise up his sleeve?