​Steelers $68 million edge rusher tabbed as potential trade candidate by NFL insider originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Pittsburgh Steelers lost on Thursday Night Football to the Cleveland Browns, dropping to 2-2 on the season. With the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals both strong contenders, the Steelers could finish last in the AFC North.If that’s where their 2026 season is trending, then it would hardly be a surprise to see the Steelers look to trade a few players by the NFL trade deadline. They’ve already traded one, Joey Porter Jr.; a few more deals would not be a huge surprise.Jonathan Jones of The Athletic is reporting that one Steelers player fans should keep an eye on this season is $68 million edge rusher Alex Highsmith. With a strong edge group outside of Highsmith, he’s a name worth monitoring this trade deadline season.Alex Highsmith tabbed as potential trade candidate”After shaking down sources this week, I’m keeping an eye on a number of players: Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith, Commanders DT Daron Payne, Colts DT Grover Stewart, Giants OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, Browns WR Jerry Jeudy and Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr.,” Jones shared.This collection of players is all worth paying close attention to as this year’s trade deadline nears, and for the Steelers, Highsmith’s inclusion is very interesting.T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig aren’t going anywhere, but with Jack Sawyer as high-quality, young, and cheap depth, someone like Highsmith is expendable.The veteran edge rusher is 29 years old and is signed through the 2027 season on his $68 million deal. If the Steelers aren’t in contention by the November trade deadline, then Highsmith makes a lot of sense to be on the move.MORE: Matthew Stafford makes wrong kind of NFL history with pick-six vs. BroncosIf he’s dealt, the Steelers would save a lot of cap space both in 2026 and in 2027. Add to that a contender acquiring Highsmith would likely have to pay a decent amount to get him, and the Steelers could land some strong draft capital in a trade as well.Even though they might not get a first-round pick, there’s a chance that thanks to Highsmith’s talent and his contract, a team would be willing to spend a second-round pick.With Maxx Crosby potentially not on the trade block, Highsmith might be the best edge rusher available. In such a scenario, the Steelers could surely draw significant interest and land a quality return in a trade.The Steelers do not have to trade Highsmith, but considering Jones is keeping an eye on him as a potential trade candidate this season, Steelers fans should as well.More NFL news:Trevor Lawrence gives hilarious reason for kneeling at the 1-yard line in bizarre Jaguars sequenceHow Josh Allen, Bills overcame disastrous 5-turnover day to hand Chargers’ third lossSean Payton reveals why he’s ‘uncomfortable’ with Broncos despite Week 3 winDeebo Samuel breaks bizarre NFL record with