Could the Steelers deal star edge rusher Alex Highsmith this offseason?
PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The NFL kicked off the month of June with a bang, as multiple teams made significant signings and trades over the past couple of days. At the center of the chaos was the AFC North, or more specifically, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns.
It started when the Browns completed one of the biggest trades in franchise history on Monday, dealing two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for a heavy return of edge rusher Jared Verse and three early-round draft picks. Less than 24 hours later, the Steelers made a splash of their own and reaffirmed their commitment to young linebacker Nick Herbig by inking him to a four-year, $100 million extension.
With Herbig now locked in and TJ Watt still amid a lucrative contract that will keep him in Pittsburgh until the close of 2028, attention now shifts to the final third of the Steelers’ trio of pass rushers. Could Herbig’s contract indicate Pittsburgh may be looking to deal Alex Highsmith just as the Browns did Garrett?
93.7 The Fan Morning Show hosts Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson dug into this question earlier today. Crowley argued that if the Steelers chose to move on from Highsmith before next season begins, the return would likely be draft capital more than anything else.
“If you moved on from an Alex Highsmith prior to this season, I don’t think you’re getting a position player in return. I would imagine you’re probably getting a draft pick. (The Browns) did, but that’s Myles Garrett,” Crowley said.
Both hosts agreed that a wide receiver could also be thrown into the pot in a sufficient return for Highsmith, based on the value he brings to the Steelers right now.
In his fifth NFL season this past year, Highsmith racked up 9.5 sacks compared to Herbig’s 7.5 and Watt’s 7. Highsmith’s signature splash play in 2025 came in Pittsburgh’s Week 9 27-20 victory at home over the Indianapolis Colts, where he logged his first and only forced fumble of the campaign.
“Maybe Highsmith could be a significant upgrade for somebody, (but) I don’t see a team with aspirations of winning it all giving up a rostered player to get another rostered player right now,” Crowley said.
Given how much of an impact Highsmith had last season, Crowley and Dickerson also agreed the Steelers will likely want to keep him around to see how he can continue to gel with his fellow pass rushers. However, when Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo joined the show later on, he shared a much different viewpoint when asked about the likelihood Highsmith would be back.
“I wouldn’t put it past Omar to try and pull that off (bringing all three linebackers back), but I’ll say no. I’ll stick with my gut reaction and say by the time the regular season starts, all three will not be here,” Fittipaldo said.
Though it’s unknown if Highsmith will be playing elsewhere in the NFL come next season, it’s not impossible. As the Cleveland Browns showed the league earlier this week, almost anyone in the NFL can be dealt for the right price.
