The Pittsburgh Steelers sparked brief offseason worry involving star defender Alex Highsmith being absent. Pittsburgh denied that Highsmith’s absence from volunteer workouts was serious. However there’s NFL Trade Deadline chatter attached to the All-Pro.
One insider intensified that rumor Sunday, but with a catch. Steelers insider Christopher Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes a deal is “certainly” coming. But revealed when a deal could sprout up.
“I do think trading Highsmith is close to a certainty — but next year,” Carter wrote. “It happens this year if someone aggressively pursues him.”
Then he name dropped how fellow edge rusher TJ Watt can persuade this move.
“But with all the other signings they need to make in the coming years, unless they trade Watt, I see Highsmith on the move in 2027,” Carter added.
Watt already helped reset the edge rusher market with his massive 2025 contract that pays him $123 million. Highsmith likely will command a high market once he becomes eligible for NFL Free Agency.
There’s another reason why a Highsmith deal could arise: Pittsburgh needing a future signal-caller after Aaron Rodgers. The NFL legend and past Super Bowl winner with the Green Bay Packers announced after returning that the 2026 season will be his final one. He’ll give incoming head coach Mike McCarthy one more run in the league, as McCarthy takes over the franchise from longtime head coach Mike Tomlin.
A Highsmith trade could make room for Rodgers’ eventual replacement. Even though the Steelers have dependable backup Will Howard and incoming 2026 NFL Draft rookie Drew Allar.
