Alex Highsmith
Alex Highsmith
Although it’s a pretty good problem to have, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a logjam on the edge. They came into the offseason with a tough decision on their hands, and extended Nick Herbig for $100 million. Now, they’ve got to find a way to get him on the field more, alongside T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
Herbig’s contract also makes Highsmith’s deal look much smaller. Yet, Highsmith has been excellent when on the field, so much that Gregg Rosenthal included him on his All-Underpaid Team, speaking on his NFL Daily podcast earlier this week.
“Cam Heyward is still at a good price, I know he’s old, but he’s still playing at a very high level. And then his teammate, is my choice at edge, Alex Highsmith. Only making $17 million a year, only got $27 million guaranteed,” Rosenthal said.
Looking at his play, it’s easy to understand Highsmith’s inclusion. He’s been banged up with some injuries over the last two years, but has been valuable when on the field. Last year, he led the Steelers in sacks (9.5), and tackles for a loss (15), despite playing in just 13 games.
Heading into the third of his four-year contract, it certainly looks like the Steelers did good business. At exactly $17 million per year, Highsmith is currently the 25th-highest paid edge rusher in that metric.
While the Steelers have him on a good deal, Rosenthal doesn’t believe they’ll be able to hold onto him for much longer. After Herbig’s extension, Rosenthal initially predicted Pittsburgh would have to move Highsmith. He hasn’t changed his mind.
“He is due a new contract at linebacker,” Rosenthal said. “And he might get traded. I think this is his last year on the team.”
If the Steelers had to move on from an edge rusher next season, Highsmith logistically makes the most sense. But that doesn’t mean it has to happen. Pittsburgh doesn’t have a large quarterback contract on the books in the near future, unless it takes a swing on someone next offseason. Highsmith likely won’t reset the market, so the cap shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
If it was up to Highsmith, he wouldn’t be going anywhere.
Of course, the Steelers have to prove they can utilize their top three edge rushers together this season. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is going to make his efforts to get them all on the field together, and Highsmith at least should be swapping sides with Watt more often. However he ends up being used, Rosenthal thinks the Steelers are getting him at quite a bargain.