Pittsburgh Steelers face roster squeeze as Alex Highsmith emerges as prime trade candidate

With Nick Herbig’s lucrative extension locking in the future of the pass rush, NFL contenders are queuing up to pry the 28-year-old edge rusher from the Steelers.

The quiet corridors of the NFL offseason are currently buzzing with a specific, high-stakes question: what happens to Alex Highsmith? As Pittsburgh recalibrates its defensive front following the significant four-year, $100 million commitment to Nick Herbig, the 28-year-old edge rusher has found his name at the center of intense league-wide interest. While the Steelers have remained characteristically tight-lipped, insiders confirm that multiple heavyweights, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders, are monitoring the situation with keen intent.

For the Buffalo Bills, the motive is clear. Two seasons of postseason frustration, often exacerbated by a lack of consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, have left their front office desperate for a force that doesn't rely solely on blitz packages. Highsmith’s ability to generate production in one-on-one situations would plug a glaring hole in their defensive structure. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles’ obsession with maintaining an aggressive, deep rotation on the defensive line makes them a natural suitor. Adding a veteran of Highsmith's caliber aligns perfectly with their philosophy of winning games at the line of scrimmage.

The intrigue surrounding the Washington Commanders and the San Francisco 49ers adds another layer to these rumors. The Commanders are in the midst of a roster overhaul, and acquiring a proven commodity could shave years off their rebuilding timeline. San Francisco, a franchise that treats elite pass rushers as a non-negotiable asset, sees the value in Highsmith’s disciplined, technique-driven style of play. Although formal talks have yet to break into the public domain, the sheer number of playoff-caliber teams circling suggests this is more than mere speculation.

Why it matters

This potential shift reflects a broader reality for franchises like Pittsburgh. In the modern salary-cap era, keeping a loaded defensive front is a luxury that often comes at the cost of depth elsewhere. By extending Herbig, the Steelers are signaling a transition, effectively creating a "squeeze" that makes Highsmith a high-value trade chip. For Pittsburgh, the return on such a move—likely draft capital and reinforcements for other positions—could prove vital for long-term sustainability. For the interested parties, it is a chance to acquire a starting-caliber defender without the uncertainty of the draft. Whether a deal materializes remains to be seen, but the mounting interest signals that the Steelers' defensive core may look very different by the start of the 2026 season.