Alex Highsmith Trade from Steelers All but Inevitable — Why It’s Not That Simple

The Pittsburgh Steelers may be on the verge of losing one of their most dominant defensive stars — but according to NFL insiders, the move isn’t happening when most fans expect.

Rumors have swirled all offseason after Alex Highsmith was notably absent from voluntary workouts, with the team downplaying the situation as nothing serious. But behind the scenes, sources tell us the tension is far more real than the front office is letting on.

Now, a bombshell report from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette insider Christopher Carter suggests that trading Highsmith is not just a possibility — it’s a near-certainty. The catch? The deal may not happen this season.

“I do think trading Highsmith is close to a certainty — but next year,” Carter wrote in a column that has Steelers fans buzzing. “It happens this year only if someone comes hard after him with an aggressive offer.”

Carter went on to suggest that the timeline for a Highsmith departure could be delayed as late as 2027, and he even dropped a major name that could influence the decision: fellow edge rusher T.J. Watt.

“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.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Watt’s record-breaking $123 million contract in 2025 already reset the market, and Highsmith — who will be eligible for free agency soon — is expected to command a massive payday of his own. With Pittsburgh’s salary cap getting tighter, insiders say the front office may be forced to choose between the two stars.

But there’s another layer to this drama: the Steelers’ looming quarterback crisis. Aaron Rodgers, who announced the 2026 season would be his last, is expected to give new head coach Mike McCarthy one final run before retirement. That leaves Pittsburgh in desperate need of a long-term signal-caller — and moving Highsmith could free up the financial room to land one.

Even with dependable backup Will Howard and incoming 2026 rookie Drew Allar on the roster, sources close to the team say the front office is quietly exploring all options. The question now isn’t if Highsmith gets traded — it’s when, and what the Steelers are willing to sacrifice to win now and plan for the future.