Steelers breakout LB named trade candidate

One of the Steelers' pleasant surprises from the 2022 season was LB Alex Highsmith's breakout in his third year. However, some believe his time in Pittsburgh could soon be coming to an end.

"There's no guarantee that they can retain Highsmith if he reaches 2024 free agency," Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox writes. "Highsmith would undoubtedly bring a spicy trade package back if he's dealt to a pass-rusher-needy team. He's young, he's productive and he's set to carry a cap hit of just under $3 million this season."

The 25-year-old is coming off a 14.5 sack season in 2022, which was especially impressive with the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, T.J. Watt, missing several games due to a pectoral injury.

Highsmith, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, has gotten better every season, so it would be very surprising if the Steelers parted ways with him as they tend to do a good job of keeping their own players.

Knox adds that "they should try" to extend Highsmith but that "a high Day-two draft selection would likely be his value floor," which is much more intriguing than a compensatory pick.

A contract extension still seems very likely to happen for Highsmith, but nothing is certain. The Steelers are already projected to be $6.7 million over the cap next year and Highsmith is projected to receive a four-year, $55.63 million contract.

If Pittsburgh can't retain Highsmith, it's something to consider, but pass rushers aren't easy to come by, so an extension should be the team's No. 1 priority.