The Steelers Just Gave 68 Million Reasons Why The Super Bowl Window Is Absolutely Open

The Pittsburgh Steelers are experiencing a new phenomenon. Kenny Pickett is on a rookie contract, which gives the team a lot of flexibility under the salary cap. When Ben Roethlisberger was a rookie in 2004, quarterback contracts were not yet completely out of control. The Steelers went to the Super Bowl two times in Roethlisberger’s first five seasons. They won both times.

Since 2009, the Steelers have been to the Super Bowl once and lost to the Green Bay Packers. During most of the last decade, Roethlisberger ate up large portions of the salary cap, and the thrifty Steelers had to choose who they retained very carefully. Initially, the Steelers drafted very well to replace aging stars, but in 2016, the pendulum began to swing the other way and they started missing picks at an alarming rate.

Omar Khan took over as general manager at the beginning of the 2022 season and he has been aggressive. He traded Chase Claypool for what became Joey Porter Jr. He brought in key veterans at an age the Steelers had previously ignored, like Patrick Peterson via free agency and Allen Robinson via trade. Khan recognizes the time is now and there is no better evidence than signing Alex Highsmith to an extension.

Highsmith broke out last season with a career-high of 14.5 sacks. He has gotten progressively better each season and likely has not reached his peak performance. Highsmith produced without TJ Watt in the lineup last season. He was not as effective as the pass rush's focal point, but he was still productive. Watt cannot be replaced in any defense. The Steelers were 8-2 with him in the lineup and 1-6 without him in 2022.

Steelers Invest In Alex Highsmith With Massive $68 Million Dollar Extension

The Steelers selection of Highsmith in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft was the only pick the Steelers got right in 2020 (if you don’t count trading the first-round pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick). Highsmith’s extension also signals something much more important. The Steelers are convinced they have the right quarterback in Pickett to go all in for a Super Bowl run.

Pickett is two seasons away from a decision about his fifth-year option, so the Steelers Super Bowl window is open. The signing of Highsmith is a heavy investment in the defense. It makes perfect sense based on the current roster construction. The offense is exceedingly young, and most are on rookie contracts. If the young unit takes a step forward as many believe, the Steelers have plenty of time to adjust the roster accordingly down the road.

Many experts lampooned the Steelers for drafting Najee Harris in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Based on the current situation with running backs, the fifth-year option that can be exercised on Harris after this season looks like solid planning. The Steelers can avoid the franchise tag and simply retain Harris for one more season, assuming he posts another 1,000 yards rushing.

The Steelers don’t have to decide on Pickett until after the 2024 season. That gives Pittsburgh two seasons to find their way to the AFC Championship game and hopefully the Super Bowl. Khan and Mike Tomlin are going back to the tried and true with a dominant defense and a power-rushing attack. They are gambling Pickett has the special abilities like Terry Bradshaw and Roethlisberger to make teams pay if they are too aggressive stopping the run.

The Steelers are making a $68 million dollar bet that locking up Highsmith to team with Watt during the next few seasons will pay off with a Lombardi Trophy. Pittsburgh is being very careful about how they do it, but there is no doubt, they are all in.