Steelers GM hints at contract extension for worthy player

The Steelers have had a lot of roster turnover this offseason under new general manager Omar Khan. However, Khan revealed there is one player he wants in Pittsburgh for "a long time." -- linebacker Alex Highsmith.

On Pittsburgh's 93.7 The Fan on Thursday, Khan called Highsmith "a Steeler who only gets better every year."

Highsmith, the Steelers' 2020 third-round pick, is entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2023 and is certainly deserving of a contract extension. He had the sixth-most sacks (14.5) in the league, 63 tackles and five forced fumbles in 2022.

The 25-year-old has more than doubled his sack total every season of his NFL career, posting two as a rookie, six in 2021 and 14.5 in 2022.

The question is, will Pittsburgh attempt to lock up Highsmith this offseason or next?

The Steelers may decide to roll the dice to make sure his 2022 season wasn't a fluke, but they did extend WR Diontae Johnson during last year's training camp.

It's projected that Highsmith would demand a four-year, $55.63M contract ($13.9 million per year), per Spotrac. 

It would be quite the payday to add to the books as Pittsburgh is already paying fellow linebacker T.J. Watt $28M a year. However, if the Steelers are able to extend Highsmith, the two could be one of the best pass-rushing duos in the league for many years.