Could Steelers pull off another significant trade before deadline?

The Pittsburgh Steelers already made one significant change to their defense this week. There could be another name worth watching as the NFL trade deadline approaches.

Pittsburgh edge-rusher Alex Highsmith has surfaced as a potential trade candidate just days after the Steelers sent cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys.

Alex Highsmith emerges as name to watch before trade deadline

The Athletic's Jonathan Jones identified Highsmith as one of six players around the NFL worth monitoring on the trade market after speaking with league sources.

That does not mean Pittsburgh is actively shopping Highsmith or that a deal is imminent. Still, his inclusion becomes considerably more interesting considering what the Steelers just did.

Pittsburgh traded Porter to Dallas this week for a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-rounder after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension.

Highsmith presents a very different situation.

The Steelers signed him to a four-year, $68 million extension in 2023 after he recorded a career-high 14.5 sacks the previous season. He has remained an important piece of Pittsburgh's pass rush alongside T.J. Watt, but the Steelers now have another edge-rusher capable of demanding snaps.

Nick Herbig has continued to develop after Pittsburgh selected him in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Steelers also signed Herbig to a new contract before the season.

That gives Pittsburgh something every NFL team wants: options.

Steelers could have a fascinating decision to make

Moving Highsmith would be a far more surprising decision than dealing Porter.

Porter's contract situation had become a problem that wasn't going away. He had yet to play this season before Pittsburgh finally ended the standoff by sending him to Dallas.

There isn't a comparable public dispute surrounding Highsmith.

That's precisely why his name appearing in trade chatter is worth watching.

If another team is willing to offer significant draft capital for a proven pass-rusher, Pittsburgh would at least have the depth to consider it. Highsmith has already demonstrated that he can produce double-digit sacks, and quality edge-rushers rarely become available during the season.

The Steelers don't need to move him.

But after trading Porter, it is becoming increasingly clear that Pittsburgh isn't afraid to make a significant roster decision when the right opportunity presents itself.

Highsmith's name is now one to keep an eye on before the Nov. 10 trade deadline.