The Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to give Nick Herbig a $100 million extension immediately changed the conversation around their outside linebacker room.
Not for 2026, though.
That was the key takeaway from NFL insider Ian Rapoport, who said on The Pat McAfee Show that Herbig’s new deal doesn’t have to force an immediate move involving T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith. Since Herbig’s extension doesn’t kick in until next season, it gives Pittsburgh a realistic path to keep all three edge rushers together for one more year.
As much as the Steelers have long valued outside linebackers, they don’t treat it exactly like a luxury position. They build around it. Watt has been the face of that identity for years; Highsmith has been one of the defense’s steadiest starters, and Herbig has played his way into a much bigger role.
For now, Rapoport doesn’t see Pittsburgh breaking up that group.
“My sense this year is nothing,” Rapoport said when asked about the Steelers’ plans for Watt and Highsmith.“I don’t get the sense that Highsmith is going anywhere. T.J. Watt is not going anywhere this year. He is not. He is going to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
That’s a pretty confident response, especially with Highsmith’s name already being floated as the logical one to watch after the Herbig deal.
T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith contracts put Pittsburgh Steelers on clock
The short-term answer sounds simple. The long-term picture is where it gets complicated.
Pittsburgh now has serious money tied to Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig. Watt is sitting at $41 million annually. Herbig’s new extension will top Highsmith’s deal by roughly $8 million per season. Highsmith, meanwhile, is entering the final year of the four-year, $68 million extension he signed with the Steelers in 2023.
That’s a lot of money at one position, even if it’s one of the most important spots on the roster.
Highsmith also isn’t some replaceable piece. He’s strong against the run, dependable enough in coverage, and productive as a pass rusher. He’s never just been the other guy next to Watt, but a significant part of how Pittsburgh wants to play defense.
"TJ Watt isn't going anywhere this year and he's going to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers..
I don't get the sense that Alex Highsmith is going anywhere either" ~ @RapSheet #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/fZP2w8ghpK
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 4, 2026
But Herbig’s rise changes things. The Steelers just paid him like a core piece, and that makes it fair to wonder how all three fit beyond this season.
“Now, after this year, I would imagine they have a decision to make one way or the other,” Rapoport said. “T.J. Watt’s contract is enormous. He has been a one-helmet player. I would say every one-helmet player, you’d sort of like them to stay in the uniform, but we have learned, as we did this past week, that there is a price for everyone. We’ll see where that goes.”
That doesn’t mean Watt is gone. It doesn’t mean Highsmith is gone, either. A full or partial restructure of Watt’s massive deal could create breathing room and help Pittsburgh avoid choosing between proven star power and younger depth.
The Steelers are well situated at edge rusher, but they’re also approaching a financial decision that will be challenging.
“I just know that, at the second-most important position, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot invested and are very well situated,” Rapoport said.
It's a strength for 2026, but after that, it could become one of the Steelers’ toughest roster calls.
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