Steelers expected to take trade calls on Alex Highsmith, per report

Alex Highsmith's future with the Pittsburgh Steelers has been a hotly debated topic, particularly due to the emergence of Nick Herbig as a starting-caliber edge rusher. And a new report indicates the team could begin listening to trade calls.

According to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, the Steelers are "expected to take some calls on Highsmith if the phone rings," while one high-level personnel executive believes the team will trade either Highsmith or Herbig.

Highsmith, who was selected by the Steelers with the 102nd overall pick in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, quickly emerged as the starting edge rusher opposite T.J. Watt, signing a four-year extension worth $68 million in July 2023.

Herbig, who's heading into the final year of his rookie contract, wasted little time proving himself as a capable replacement for Highsmith, recording 13 sacks over the past two seasons despite being used primarily as a rotational edge rusher.

Trading Highsmith over Herbig seems like the move to make, but the Steelers may opt to keep their three-headed pass rush monster intact heading into 2026, depending on the potential interest from other NFL teams.