The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the most dynamic edge rusher groups in the sport with T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig.
However, it sounds like there's a chance Pittsburgh could look to move one of its three starting-caliber pass rushers at some point in the future.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes the Steelers aren't going to trade Herbig, but could move a player ahead of him on the depth chart in the position room, meaning either Watt or Highsmith.
"I think the trade would involve someone ahead of him [Herbig]," Dulac said when asked about the Steelers potentially trading Herbig.
Chiefs, Lions, 49ers should have interest in Steelers' trade rumor
Herbig is just 24 years old, had a career-high 7.5 sacks in 2025, and is still on his rookie deal, so it wouldn't make much sense to trade the rising star.
Though he wasn't as dominant this past year, Watt still has years of high-level play ahead of him and just signed a three-year extension with the Steelers last offseason, so cutting ties with the former All-Pro would also be a questionable move, unless Pittsburgh is presented a package they can't decline.
That leaves Highsmith, who is a productive pass rusher when on the field, but has struggled with injuries. If the Steelers were going to trade anyone in the edge rusher, it would be Highsmith, as the 28-year-old could net Pittsburgh a solid return, and the team already has a replacement ready on the roster in Herbig
The Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers could all use a boost in the pass-rushing department, and Highsmith could emerge as a possible target for the contenders.
Kansas City and San Francisco ranked bottom ten in sacks this past season, and though Detroit was in the top five, they don't have another quality pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson. The same goes for the 49ers, as Nick Bosa doesn't have much help.
George Karlaftis is set to return as the Chiefs' top pass rusher, but the Purdue product has shown that he isn't an elite difference-maker and is best suited in a complementary role.
Acquiring Highsmith would be a much-needed move for Kansas City, Detroit, and San Francisco, but it remains to be seen whether the Steelers want to break up their talented pass-rushing trio.
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