While there were a couple hold-ins during the first day of minicamp, all players were seemingly accounted for when the Pittsburgh Steelers reported Tuesday morning for the only mandatory event of the offseason. Curiously, Alex Highsmith is now absent for Day 2, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo.
“A league source confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is not at practice on Wednesday, the second day of a mandatory three-day minicamp,” he wrote.
A league source confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is not at practice on Wednesday, the second day of a mandatory three-day minicamp.
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) June 3, 2026
It’s impossible to say for sure what the motive is — or if there is one. It could be as simple as an injury that he’s taking care of, or a personal matter that he was already excused for. Unfortunately, due to Mike McCarthy speaking to the media before practice each day, he won’t have an opportunity to address the situation for further information.
We could take a more cynical view of Highsmith’s absence in light of Nick Herbig’s reported $100 million contract extension. Highsmith has been the starter, and now one of his backups is getting almost 50 percent more money per season than he is. Could he now be holding out for a potential pay increase?
Pittsburgh tends to not touch contracts with more than one year remaining for non quarterbacks, and Highsmith’s deal runs through 2027. If a reworked contract is what he wants, he may not find an amenable second party.
Trade rumors surrounding Highsmith have already been running rampant since Herbig’s contract was reported. Fittipaldo even predicted earlier this morning that Highsmith will ultimately be dealt prior to the start of the 2026 season, though other Steelers beat writers insist the plan is to keep all three.
Without knowing what’s going on, Highsmith taking issue with his contract could be the impetus for action on the trade front if it comes down to it. According to Yahoo Sports, Pittsburgh was already expected to take calls on both Herbig and Highsmith around draft time. It’s very possible Pittsburgh already has an idea of his market.
This is a developing story.
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