One of the top remaining offseason priorities for the Steelers is finalizing an extension with pass rusher Alex Highsmith, something which will no doubt require a lucrative long-term commitment. Efforts on that front are already underway, and his latest remarks on the subject are optimistic in nature. 
“That would be awesome,” Highsmith said, via Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, when asked about the possibility of having a deal in place by training camp. “We’ll see what happens. I’m confident with the way things are going… Right now, I just want to focus on ball.”
Contract negotiations have been taking place since May, a logical step from the Steelers’ perspective considering Highsmith’s value to the team’s pass rush. The 25-year-old has taken a signficant step forward in sack production during each of his three years in the league, and he registered 14.5 in 2022. That further proved his effectiveness as a compliment to All-Pro T.J. Watt, but a downturn in effectiveness during the latter’s missed time could cloud his value in the team’s eyes.
Highsmith should be in line for a signficant raise as early as this summer, as general manager Omar Khan acknowledged last month. Should talks stall over the effect Watt has on the former third-rounder’s production (not to mention the team’s substantial investment in Watt), though, Highsmith’s performance in 2023 would increasingly be worth watching. Requiring Pittsburgh to use the franchise tag or risk him hitting the open market would mark a troubling and unexpected turn of events in his case.
If each party gets their way, however, a multi-year extension may very well be in place by the time training camp opens next month. A long-term Watt-Highsmith combination would be costly for the Steelers, of course, but keeping the tandem in place would allow the team to remain elite in the pass-rush department for years to come. Working out the details of a second contract for the latter figures to be high on the agenda for Pittsburgh in the coming weeks.
Interesting that a couple local talk hosts scoff at the idea of Highsmith getting an extension, talking about how he’s benefitted from being on the same defense as Watt and being an average player
Sheesh
The guy plays hard and is rarely injured. He’s been one of the bright spots on a defense that has been porous where both the run and pass are concerned
I have nothing bad to say about him and would love to keep him as Robin, but paying him huge money just seems like something they’ll wind up regretting.
Hope I’m wrong! Seems like a great guy.
Agree 100% but would note that when Watt has been out for extended periods, he’s seemed to be the only guy getting into the backfield on the pass rush. Guess I just don’t get the hate. The market is what it is and it’s not like they have anyone waiting in the wings at present
That is certainly the conundrum, aint it?
They pretty much have to pay him, I just think after 2-3 years we’re gonna be groaning about paying big dollars to a “good not great” pass rusher.
My hope is they can keep the FULL guarantees low and utilize roster bonuses to give themselves an out after 2-3 years.
If he signs a long term deal it’s going to be restructured for cap purposes at least twice before it expires. Just get it done this offseason so the front office can focus on deals for Najee, Friermuth and maybe Pickett next offseason.
He definitely benefits from playing with Watt. But he makes the most of it.
He’s well above average. Let’s see how much that costs.