The Pittsburgh Steelers had a difficult week emotionally that resulted in a clutch victory on Christmas Eve against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Immaculate Reception turned 50, reminding those of us who were kids at the time that we aren’t anymore. Franco Harris, a Steelers icon, passed away three days before his jersey retirement ceremony and Mother Nature voiced her displeasure with the whole situation by sending Pittsburgh the worst weather for a football game in decades.
Pittsburgh Steelers stop Las Vegas Raiders QB David Carr. Photo Credit - Jared Wickerham/Pittsburgh Steelers
It wasn’t all bad news for the black and gold this week, however. First and foremost, the Steelers won a hard fought emotional 13-10 victory led by Kenny Pickett and got a nearly virtuoso performance by the defense for three quarters after giving up a touchdown on the first drive of the game. The Steelers also got notified that TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick were selected for the Pro Bowl. Cam Heyward and Alex Highsmith were also named as alternates for the AFC on the defensive side of the ball.
Cam Heyward celebrates a sack of Raiders QB David Carr. Photo Credit - Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
Heyward has been a Pro Bowler before, but Highsmith is having the best season of his short NFL career and he has not. He could have sulked that he wasn’t selected like so many modern players or taken to social media to claim how fired up he was to prove everyone wrong; neither happened. Highsmith quietly went about his business and decided his play on the field was the loudest statement he could make:
“We had a lot of guys making plays,” Highsmith stated. “All the guys in the back end getting picks and stuff, Cam dominating like he did. I think it’s just overall a great game for us. We still have to get back in the film room and acknowledge what we did wrong, because there is always going to be something wrong.”
Highsmith has quietly put together a monster season and received very little credit outside of Pittsburgh. He was without his running mate Watt for much of the season, which allowed teams to focus on him as the primary pass rusher. Highsmith has already set a career high in sacks (12) with two games remaining and he is the only player in the NFL with that many sacks who is not a Pro Bowler. Highsmith delivered a key sack on Derek Carr late in the game at a crucial point for the Steelers.
Get that man in the Pro Bowl! #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/EWps7g7MCk
— Blitz Guy (@BlitzGuyOG) December 25, 2022
Highsmith is 24th in total pressures according to the often controversial Pro Football Focus rankings. He does drop into coverage much more often than most of the players in front of him, a fact that is often disregarded as a key component of both he and Watt's game. Highsmith converts his opportunities to sack the quarterback at a much higher rate than most of those ahead of him on that list. In fact, only Haason Reddick from the Philadelphia Eagles and Matthew Judon of the New England Patriots have a better conversion rate than Highsmith with at least 45 pressures and 12 or more sacks.
Highsmith has made a significant leap in production and playing time every year in the NFL since he was drafted. He will be entering the last year of his rookie contract in 2023 and the Steelers have found the perfect running mate for Watt long-term. He has gotten better every year and as his playing time has increased, so has his impact on the game. Highsmith also works hard, is effervescent in his praise of teammates and only draws attention to himself for what he does on the field.
As an alternate, he will probably find his way onto the Pro Bowl roster when all is said and done, but he should be a priority for an off-season extension which is much more important than one Pro Bowl roster. The NFL may have snubbed him, but the Pittsburgh Steelers shouldn’t and will hopefully show him the only love he seems to care about. The love of the organization as he continues to suit up for the black and gold.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Should the Steelers focus on bringing back Highsmith? Or do you want them to focus on free agency? Please comment below, or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
