Overview
- The Steelers signed rising edge rusher Nick Herbig to a four-year, $100 million extension, a move that has intensified discussion about the club’s outside linebacker group.
- Analysts and pundits have singled out Alex Highsmith as the likeliest near-term trade candidate because his remaining two-year deal carries lower dead-cap costs than T.J. Watt’s contract.
- Several NFC teams have been mentioned as possible suitors for Highsmith, with the Eagles, Cowboys and Bears repeatedly named in recent media commentary.
- Team spokespeople and league insiders, including Ian Rapoport, say Pittsburgh does not plan to trade Highsmith or Watt this season and expects to keep the trio intact for now.
- Highsmith briefly missed a mandatory minicamp practice due to an illness but returned to team activities and appeared in the Steelers’ OTAs photo gallery.