APRIL 21: It seems the Steelers may be willing to listen but would need to be wowed by an offer to actually move one of Watt’s wingmen. The odds of Highsmith or Herbig being traded are “minuscule,” according to the Pat McAfee Show‘s Mark Kaboly.
“Yeah, it happens every year — it happens throughout the year, not just now,” GM Omar Khan said regarding trade interest. “People will call and say, ‘Hey, any interest in this player, in trading this player for this player?’ Or they’ll call and say, ‘Hey, we have this player we would consider. You guys interested?’ There’s a lot. I’d say maybe probably less than 5% of those calls actually turn out to be something.”
APRIL 19: The Steelers presently boast an enviable trio of pass rushers in T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig. Although GM Omar Khan recently said “you can’t ever have enough” pass rushers, rival clubs apparently believe Pittsburgh is willing to deal from that perceived surplus, as Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports details.
Per Robinson, Highsmith and Herbig are “floating around front offices” as possible trade targets in the run-up to the draft, with one high-ranking personnel executive expressing his belief that the Steelers will move one of them. Robinson reports Highsmith is the likelier trade candidate.
Highsmith’s contract situation is one of the reasons for that. The 28-year-old (29 in August) still has two years remaining on the four-year, $68MM extension he signed in August 2023 and is owed $14.5MM in base pay in 2026 and $17.5MM in 2027, with cap hits in excess of $20MM in both of those seasons. The year before he signed the contract, he posted 14.5 sacks, but he has failed to hit double-digits in any of the last three campaigns and missed time due to injury in both of the past two.
On the other hand, Highsmith’s upcoming salaries are palatable for a talented edge defender, and he will likely not require a contract adjustment in 2026, as Robinson suggests. Herbig, meanwhile, is four years younger than Highsmith, is entering the last year of his rookie deal, and is viewed as an ascending player. He has performed well despite mostly operating in a platoon capacity, notching 5.5 sacks in 2024 (when he had a 50% snap share) and 7.5 in 2025 (60%).
Khan has expressed a desire to extend Herbig, and as noted above, he believes the importance of quality edge defenders justifies an allocation of resources that would keep all three of Watt (who enjoys a $41MM average annual value on his current deal), Highsmith, and Herbig in the fold. However, retaining Herbig may be impractical unless either Highsmith is traded or Herbig agrees to a team-friendly extension, and Robinson indicates another strong showing in ‘26 could lead to a $20MM/year deal for Herbig if he hits the open market.
So while it is far from a guarantee that Khan will pull the trigger on a trade jettisoning one of his top pass rushers, it is easy to see why other clubs believe he will be amenable to such a move. Quarterback uncertainty continues to loom over the Steelers, but as we get closer to the draft, Khan has plenty of non-QB matters to keep him busy.
Chargers for a fourth and Quentin Johnston
Man no one wants QJ
I wouldn’t say NO ONE
They should of traded watt before they signed him. Age and injuries are taking a toll on him.
Agreed. I’m sure he still has value, even though it’s lessened now.
No way you trade Herbig.
Dump one of the other two and free some money up
Washed..they should cut their losses and get what they can for him. Save the money.
Hard to say as a Steelers fan but Watt is the one that would need to go. His hit is twice the amount of the others combined with injuries and age beginning to become a factor.
Doesn’t matter anyway. Not like they’re going anywhere with the QB situation the way it is.
Better not trade my boy Herbig
Just like Rodgers, watts signing was all rooney. Watts contract will haunt the steelers for years. When they have to pay him when he’s hurt.
Theyre not paying a qb big $ so it really doesnt matter
Goku brings up a good point. For all the complaints about Rodgers, he’s playing for cheap. Unless the Steelers go all out for a free agent QB or trade for some huge acquisition next year, they’re probably not going to be paying for an expensive quarterback for some time.
I don’t see them getting much more than a 3rd for highsmith. I’d like to see them package a pick with highsmith for a 2nd. Even if it’s a 2nd next year to help them move around for a QB
I agree with that proposal
‘26 6th rounder and Highsmith for a ‘27 2nd rounder would work. Then extend Herbig.
Jack Sawyer looked decent when on the field last season as well.
I think youre undervaluing Highsmith at a premium EDGE position.
A lot of teams would love a proven pass rusher like him