The Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled to start the 2022 season. The offense has been lethargic and while Mike Tomlin remains committed to Mitch Trubisky, the fans and media are firmly committed to a quarterback controversy. The biggest question around the Steelers is when will Kenny Pickett take over the offense, followed by can they win a game without T.J. Watt in the lineup?
Larry Ogunjobi (99) and Alex Highsmith (56) against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 22, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. | Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Alex Highsmith is one of the few bright spots so far this season. During the off-season, he was being counted on to ramp up production entering his third year in the NFL. Highsmith has exceeded expectations to start the 2022 campaign. He is currently leading the NFL in sacks with 4.5 through 3 games, and with Watt missing the last two games, his production as a pass rusher has been exceptional.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, Alex Highsmith (56) celebrating after a play against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sun., Sept. 11, 2022 in Cincinnati, OH. (Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)
Highsmith, the third-year player from Charlotte, is doing his best to fill the AP Defensive Player of the Year gap in the Steelers defense. One of the big issues for the current defense has been replacing his production. Malik Reed and Jamir Jones have not performed adequately as the opposite bookend for Highsmith. The lack of pressure in the last two games has been obvious for a team that has led the league in sacks for the last five seasons.
Highsmith is also filling Watt’s position as the most curiously rated defensive player in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. The Cris Collinsworth owned organization currently rates the NFL’s leader in sacks as the 54th best edge rusher in the NFL compared to Myles Garrett who is the first overall edge rusher.
The grading systems of PFF are coming under increased scrutiny as rumors of agents paying for grades are circulating through podcasts and social media. The rumors are unsubstantiated, but grades like the ones above simply make no sense. The Steelers lost to the Cleveland Browns 29-17 last Thursday night and LT Dan Moore Jr. dominated Garrett during the game. He was not a factor at all with 1 total tackle, compared to Highsmith who also added 5 tackles in the run game to his sack.
The Steelers needed Highsmith to ramp up his production for this season and he has to at this point. When Watt returns, it is unclear how the injury will affect his ability to impact games in 2022. Pittsburgh’s 2022 season was supposed to feature the defense and a conservative ball control offense. Neither has panned out. The defensive performance in game 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals was epic, but they are a good defense without Watt, not great.
Alex Highsmith (56) closing in on Jacoby Brissett (7) on Sept. 22, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. | Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
The black and gold have several issues to deal with before they face the New York Jets and as important as it is to score more points on offense, the season will turn on whether the defense can find a way to change games before Watt returns. Highsmith and Minkah Fitzpatrick are playing like All-Pro’s, but the Steelers defensive identity is pressure, and it is noticeably absent right now.
The great news for the defense is that if Highsmith keeps performing this way when Watt gets healthy, the pass rush will be unstoppable. The bad news is that is still weeks away and the team could be hopelessly out of the playoff race by then. It is time to stop playing for a ‘winning season’ and start competing for championships in Pittsburgh. That is the standard that the highly productive Highsmith dedicated himself to reaching and he has arrived.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
The cupboard is not bare, this is a gifted roster despite contrary opinions and the Steelers are closer to contention than a top five draft pick. Highsmith is a third-round draft pick that has grown into a serious contender for this year’s Pro Bowl and deserving of a contract extension in the off-season. The standard is the standard as Coach Tomlin constantly preaches and right now, Highsmith is the defensive standard. It is time to challenge the rest of the defense to match him.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Is Highsmith blossoming into the leader of the defense in Watt’s absence? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
