Ray Fittipaldo of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Alex Highsmith was absent for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ second day of mandatory minicamp, likely due to his current contract situation, though the exact reason was not disclosed. He essentially has a two-year, non-guaranteed $30 million deal remaining and is currently underpaid. Highsmith may be seeking an extension, especially after Nick Herbig recently signed a four-year, $100 million extension with $42 million guaranteed. If he has an unexcused absence, he will be fined $35,900 for skipping Day 2 and $53,900 for skipping Day 3.
However, that’s not the case.
Why the Pittsburgh Steelers’ leading sacker missed Day 2 of mandatory minicamp
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Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) reacts as he takes the field against the Kansas City Chiefs at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
According to Burt Lauten of the team’s website, Alex Highsmith was not present for Wednesday’s mandatory minicamp practice due to illness, not because of a desire for a new contract. As Lauten noted, he will continue to be at the practice facility as he has throughout the offseason. It remains unclear whether Highsmith will be healthy enough to return to practice on Thursday.
Sources: Alex Highsmith is not present today at practice due to an illness but will continue to be at the practice facility as he has been all offseason. Confirmed by me. https://t.co/8n4sHF1awT
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) June 3, 2026
Fans react to the news
Pittsburgh Steelers fans
Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans cheer against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
They paid his backup $100M lol someone better get traded
— Art Vandelay (@ajpiupking) June 3, 2026
He’s sick. Let’s not make this into anything more than it is. He’s the most team guy on the team.
— Nick Hancock – Mattress Guy (@mattressguy_) June 3, 2026
“Illness”
As in sick that his backup makes a lot more money than he does type of illness? pic.twitter.com/YtPN7XfEIG
— Football Analyst (@prof_analyst1) June 3, 2026
Team spokesman, idk that I’m buying it. But I guess.
— Jonathon (@JN_Steve_) June 3, 2026
Do you believe it really is an illness?
— Josh 🙏 Servant of Christ (@JoshuaC6323) June 3, 2026
Thanks for clearing that up.
— Brenton✨ (@brenton717) June 3, 2026