Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker coach, Denzel Martin presented Alex Highsmith with a challenge to be "Batman all the time." After signing a massive contract extension for four years and $68 million, it set expectations that Highsmith was no longer just a sidekick to 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year TJ Watt. The duo feasted in Pittsburgh's 26-22 Week 2 win over the Cleveland Browns and were a significant factor in the team avoiding starting the season with a pair of losses at home.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith pushes off a tackler during his interception return against the Cleveland Browns during Week 2 of 2023.
Highsmith opened the game with a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown on the Browns' first offensive play of the evening. Pittsburgh safety Minkah Fitzpatrick deflected a pass by Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson into the hands of the outside linebacker who ran down the sideline for the score. The third-round pick from the University of Charlotte totaled seven tackles in the contest with a tackle for a loss and a strip sack of Watson in the fourth quarter.
That takeaway on Watson by Highsmith in the fourth quarter proved to be a crucial one as Watt jumped on the ball that had been knocked free and returned it 16 yards for his first career regular season touchdown. Watt was busy making Watson's life miserable all evening with a game-high 4 quarterback hits and tallied a sack near the end of the second quarter to force the Browns to settle for a field goal. His takedown of Watson also broke the tie with James Harrison atop the franchise leaderboard for most sacks all-time.
Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers outside linebacker TJ Watt scoops up a loose ball in the fourth quarter during Week 2 in 2023 against the Cleveland Browns.
Peter Schrager of Good Morning Football heaped plenty of praise on the Steelers tandem of edge rushers for providing moments of excitement in what was largely a slugfest of a game. He said he's heard so much coming into the season about how scary the Browns' pass rush would be after the team acquired Za'Darius Smith to pair with Myles Garrett, but in this game, they were blown off the field by Highsmith and Watt. Statistically, Smith and Garrett combined for two tackles, one quarterback hit, and one tackle for a loss.
"In [TJ] Watt and [Alex] Highsmith, the Steelers have the best pass-rushing duo in the league," Schrager said. "This is no longer just Watt, Defensive Player of the Year, throwing the whole team on his back like he's Atlas and carrying them up a mountain. This is a duo and I think Highsmith really showed his worth here."
Through two games in 2023, Watt and Highsmith have been the engine powering the Steelers. They have a combined 11 quarterback hits, five tackles for a loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles, three pass deflections, and two touchdowns.
Steelers Monster Extension With Highsmith Already Looking Like A Good Bet
Pittsburgh completed an important part of business in September just before the start of the 2021 NFL season by inking Watt to a major extension. He made good on the team's bet on him right away snagging the Defensive Player of the Year Award and tying the all-time official record for single-season sacks with 22.5.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Cam Heyward (97) and Alex Highsmith (56) chase a fumble against the New York Jets in Week 4 of 2022.
The team was able to get a contract done with Highsmith in July 2023 and Schrager said it was a bit surprising to see him get the deal he did. He added that it wasn't that he didn't deserve the money after a major breakout season in 2022 with 14.5 sacks and a league-leading five forced fumbles.
Schrager continued that it was just more startling to him that Highsmith was creeping into the upper echelon of pass rushers and got a contract representing it. He added that he felt like "an ascending player," and starting in 2024 when it kicks in the team will be paying him for the player he can be, not necessarily for the contributions so far.
As he plays out the last year of his rookie deal in 2023, the team will enjoy having him produce at a level beyond his pay. Once 2024 rolls around, he'll be getting compensated handsomely and expected to maintain the production. So far in the early stages of 2023, General Manager Omar Khan and the front office look like they've made a safe bet on Highsmith.
What did you think of Highsmith and Watt against the Browns on Monday night? Are they the best duo in the league? Comment below!
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