It was believed that the Pittsburgh Steelers had solidified the edge rusher position on defense for the foreseeable future after TJ Watt signed a huge contract extension prior to the 2021 season. He went on to win the AP Defensive Player of the Year Award that same season. Now, the front office has committed to his partner-in-crime, Alex Highsmith as well.
Steelers edge rusher, Alex Highsmith prepares to rush the quarterback during a 2022 regular season game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation.com (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Steelers and Highsmith have agreed to a massive contract extension that is for four years and $68 million, making him one of the highest paid at the position in the NFL.
Sources: The #Steelers and star pass-rusher Alex Highsmith have agreed to terms on a huge 4-year, $68M extension to pay him among the Top 10 highest paid edge rushers in the NFL. Coming off a career year with 14.5 sacks, Highsmith cashes in and PIT locks in a key player. pic.twitter.com/LnPsB14Jax
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 19, 2023
After ridiculously being labeled as a top trade candidate for 2023, Highsmith will stay in Pittsburgh long-term. He and Watt will make any quarterback stay up at night knowing that both sides of the Steelers' defense have an elite pass rusher.
Steelers Lock In One Of The Best Pass Rushing Duos In the NFL
It's not unfair to say that the two are the best duo of edge rushers in the league. They combined for 20 sacks in 2022 and the scary part was that Watt only played in 10 games. It's clear that the front office made it a priority to lock Highsmith into a long-term deal in order to solidify that part of the defense.
During his career, Highsmith has been extremely reliable. He has played in 49 games since being drafted in the third round back in 2020. He had a career high 14.5 sacks in 2022 and was tied for the league lead with five forced fumbles. He stepped up while Watt dealt with a torn pectoral muscle and was one of the reasons Pittsburgh stayed in the playoff hunt until the very end of the campaign.
Steelers edge rushers TJ Watt (#90) and Alex Highsmith (#56) warm up in preparation for a 2022 practice during training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Rapoport tweeted a second time and brought up the Steelers' internal strategy. Big-name free agents aren't always the best way to go for a franchise and Pittsburgh has been consistent in their approach for years.
Draft, develop and pay has been a core principle for the #Steelers for years. Another great example for the former third-rounder who had five(!) forced fumbles last year. https://t.co/C2xXZkZ1B1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 19, 2023
All sides should be happy that this got done before 2023 training camp. The defense now has all four key players in Watt, Highsmith, Cameron Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick signed through at least the 2024 season. There's no reason to not believe that the unit could be the NFL's best in 2023 and beyond. Locking in Highsmith was always in Pittsburgh's plans and the edge rusher got paid, and rightfully so. Opposing offenses, especially ones within the division could be in for some long games moving forward.
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