PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He said it to the PM Team on 93.7 The Fan in May and Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith again optimistic about getting a long-term deal done with the Steelers.
“I’m very confident we are going to get something worked out because I want to be here and be here for a long time,” Highsmith said after mandatory mini-camp on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old is in his final year of his rookie contract and coming off a career-high 14.5 sacks last year and 20.5 the last couple of seasons. He’s also shown he can have success without TJ Watt. Three and a half of his sacks and four tackles for loss last season came when Watt was out injured.
Everyone has their own approach with dealing with contracts, Highsmith remains stout he wants to continue to practice. Not worrying about an injury fears, he said it’s important to be on the South Side. To be with his guys because he said he’s already seen ‘much improvement’ with the defense and he wants to continue to get guys in a rhythm.
“For me, I felt like I had to work for everything I’ve gotten,” Highsmith said. “I’ve always had a mentality that I will outwork everybody. Just for me, being a walk-on in college, I’ve kept that mentality with me. I want to keep that with me no matter where I’m at in my career.”
Highsmith has some new teammates this season. The team added veteran Markus Golden, brought back Quincy Roche and drafted Nick Herbig out of Wisconsin.
“I think we have a great group at outside backer,” Highsmith said. “Bringing in a guy like Markus, a guy who’s been in the league for a while, established. An elite guy that knows how to rush. I think it’s awesome having him, he’s had multiple years of 10-plus sacks so he’s going to add a lot of value to the room.”
“Drafting Nick, he’s already working so hard and getting better day-by-day. I’m excited to see this group overall, how we do and we are going to make a lot of splash.”
And Highsmith said he will not miss any of the development of that group, even if it hurts his leverage for a new contract.