Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is entering his fourth year in the NFL. The third-round draft pick out of UNC-Charlotte has grown by leaps and bounds each season. During the 2022 season, Highsmith recorded a career-high 14.5 sacks, good enough for sixth in the NFL. He appeared on an episode of the House of Yinzer podcast and talked about having to step up while fellow OLB TJ Watt was injured.
Screenshot from House of Yinzer
Watt, who tore a pectoral muscle during the first game of the 2022 season against the Cincinnati Bengals, has always been a difference-maker on the team. So much so that the Steelers rewarded him with a record-breaking contract extension, $112 million over four years. The injury definitely had an impact on the team and their success, however, it is hard to dispute that Highsmith stepped up during that time.
Steelers' Highsmith Had Big Shoes To Fill
While no one could take the place of Watt while he was injured, things could have been far worse if the Steelers didn't have Highsmith. He was asked if he felt that Watt's injury allowed him an opportunity for personal growth.
"It was something when he went down, you know losing a guy like that, is never a good thing," Highsmith answered. "Especially guys like that who love football as much as he does. But for me, I was just trying to be my best self. I didn't really feel any added pressure or anything like that. I just wanted to keep doing what I was doing and just continue to put my best foot forward every single game and just play with high effort and energy and physicality. Switching sides was a change, so I was going to the other side as well."
Don Wright/AP
Steelers' TJ Watt (#90) celebrates a turnover against the Miami Dolphins in Pittsburgh, PA in 2019
Highsmith said that he can't wait for next season and is looking forward to being back with the squad,
"He's (Watt) a great guy to play with and it's like I said, the best in the world at what he does. I'm just already looking forward to next year and going through it with him and Cam (Heyward) and hopefully Larry (Ogunjobi) and some of those guys as well. We'll see how it goes. I just want to be my best self."
On the subject of growing into a defensive leader, in a unit full of large personalities, Highsmith had something to say.
"I've always been a lead-by-example guy but now I feel like with three years under my best, I feel like I've earned some more respect in the locker room. I feel like I can use my voice more as well because like I said I've always been a lead-by-example first guy. I started using my voice more last year and stuff like that."
ESPN
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith
Highsmith credits his family with teaching him to always be the best version of himself and to always try to do the right thing even when it is hard. He says he works to put this in action with football as well and sees himself becoming more of a mentor to younger players.
"That's how I wanna lead personally, like no matter how old I am, I always want to lead by example because if you're talking and you're leading with your voice but you don't have actions to follow that then you know you're not a good leader. I think people get to respect you by the way you follow up your words by putting your words into action. For me just continuing to lead how I do and by giving great effort during practice and just doing the right things after practice, before practice, day to day, you've got other guys, younger guys who see that."
What do you think about Highsmith's performance while Watt was out? Do you agree with Highsmith's leadership philosophy? Do you see him making a positive impact on the team? Comment below.
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