NFL Rumors: Seahawks QB shopping, Steelers big extension, and shocking Vikings cap casualty
By Kristen Wong
NFL Rumors: Steelers are completely smitten with OLB Alex Highsmith
Bud Dupree who? The Pittsburgh Steelers just might have the next T.J. Watt on their hands, and it also helps that they have Watt, too. Steelers general manager Omar Khan recently had this to say about their bright and shining budding star, outside linebacker Alex Highsmith:
"“When we have a young, up-and-coming player, we don’t like to let those guys go.”"
It’s a promising sign for Highsmith’s chances of getting a big extension this offseason after Highsmith came off a career-best season in 2022. Stepping out of Watt’s shadow and into his own, the 2020 third-rounder finished sixth in the league with 14.5 sacks and tied the league-high with five forced fumbles.
When Bud Dupree left Pittsburgh for Tennessee in 2021, Highsmith seamlessly slid in across Watt and has developed into one of the most daunting run-stuffers in the league. And when Watt had to miss a chunk of time this past season due to injury, Highsmith picked up the slack, embodying the kind of gritty, hard-nosed edge-rusher the Steelers have historically fallen in love with. What can they say? Pittsburgh has a type.
Highsmith now enters the last year of his rookie deal in 2023, and if the Steelers don’t hammer out an extension this offseason, he could outprice his stay in Pittsburgh in a contract year and secure his bag elsewhere.
According to Omar Khan’s statements, the Steelers won’t let that happen. They’re well aware of Highsmith’s talent, durability, and excellent culture fit and will be looking to extend him as soon as possible.