The Pittsburgh Steelers have a few players that fans are wondering about in terms of prospective offseason transactions. Occasionally, the names T. J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are mentioned. This time, it could be something to listen to.
Gerry Dulac, a Pittsburgh Steelers insider, said during his weekly chat with supporters that the Steelers may consider trading for an outside linebacker. And when asked if reserve Nick Herbig was the name to watch, he made it clear that it was most likely someone higher on the depth chart.
I believe the exchange would include someone above him, Dulac wrote.
That leaves Watt and Highsmith.
Now it’s time to discuss who is more likely to be traded and what the deal would look like.
The Most Likely Trade Name.
If the Steelers want to move on from Watt or Highsmith, Highsmith is more likely to be traded. Despite being under 30 and having a far more inexpensive contract than Watt, Highsmith is not the face of the organization.
Pittsburgh regards Watt as a future Hall of Famer who will make the distinction between being average and excellent in the NFL. The Steelers have also won with an edge rusher, and Watt is among the finest in the league, so the team is unlikely to replace him.
However, you can never rule anything out. The Steelers would have to explore any irresistible offer. While they would most likely get a fair compensation for Highsmith, Watt remains an NFL first-round worth, and any team wishing to trade for him would have to forfeit a first-round pick.
Alex Highsmith’s Trade Price
That would go a long way toward finding the team’s future franchise quarterback in 2027.
The Steelers are likely to receive a second-round pick for Highsmith. When fit in 2025, he was likely their greatest edge rusher, and with two years remaining and a $20 million and $21 million cap hit the following two years, teams will consider him a cost-effective alternative. Who is a top-ten edge rusher in the NFL?
A second-round selection remains quite appealing to a team attempting to amass picks in 2027. And here’s one thing to believe in all of this: the deal would be for 2027.
It’s difficult to image the Steelers trading Watt or Highsmith during the NFL Draft. Instead, they would most likely perform it afterwards, rewarding them a year later.
That promotes Herbig to a starting position, allowing Jack Sawyer to move up as a backup and continue his growth. A strategy that appears simple on paper, and the Steelers feel is so simple that it might actually work.
Watt or Highsmith are now both options. Before the conclusion of the summer, the Steelers may make another major transfer.
