Per Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, names of both Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig are circulating through front offices ahead of the draft, with at least one high-ranking personnel executive around the league expressing his belief that Pittsburgh will move one of them.
"I think they will trade one of them," Robinson quoted the executive as saying.
The Steelers already have T.J. Watt locked up on a megadeal through 2028.
Herbig, 24, is entering the final year of his contract and is set to hit free agency in 2027.
GM Omar Khan has expressed a desire to extend Herbig, but doing so while also keeping Highsmith on the books at $14.5 million in 2026 and $17.5 million in 2027 creates a math problem that is difficult to solve.
Robinson indicates Highsmith is the likelier of the two to be dealt, and the reasons are straightforward.
Why Highsmith Makes More Sense to Move
Highsmith turns 29 in August and still has two years remaining on the four-year, $68 million extension he signed in August 2023.
He had 14.5 sacks the year before signing that deal, but has not hit double digits in any of the three seasons since, and has missed time due to injury in each of the past two years.
His cap hits exceed $20 million in both remaining years of the deal, which is significant but not unreasonable for a talented edge defender.
🚨🚨 Teams believe the #Steelers are willing to trade Alex Highsmith pic.twitter.com/oeRjrBpscS
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) April 19, 2026
Robinson noted that Highsmith is unlikely to require a contract adjustment in 2026, making him a cleaner asset to move for a team that wants a proven starter without renegotiation risk.
The 49ers have been floated as a potential destination for Herbig specifically, with FOX Sports' Ralph Vacchiano pitching a package of a 2026 second-round pick and a conditional fifth for the young pass rusher.
The Patriots and Bears have also surfaced in mock trade discussions involving Highsmith, with New England in particular viewed as a logical landing spot given their edge rusher need alongside Drake Maye's Super Bowl window.
What the Steelers Would Be Getting Back
The Steelers' position is one of genuine strength here.
Jack Sawyer played more than expected in 2025 when both Highsmith and Herbig dealt with injuries, and flashed legitimate potential in the process.
He had a strip sack in Pittsburgh's playoff loss to the Texans and profiles as the kind of young edge rusher who could step into a rotation role immediately if one of the veterans is dealt.
Moving Highsmith as a post-June 1 designation would free up $14.5 million in cap space, per Over the Cap.
Insider: Steelers Are ‘Expected To Take Some Calls’ On Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig For Potential Draft Trade #Steelers #NFL #Pittsburgh https://t.co/fxI0UUNXit
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) April 19, 2026
For a team with 12 draft picks and a need to address quarterback, wide receiver, and offensive line, that space matters.
Robinson noted that if Pittsburgh cannot move Highsmith before or during the draft, teams will start calling about Herbig instead, even without an official signal that he is available.
The logjam is obvious to everyone watching.
One of these three is going somewhere. The draft starts Thursday.
Photo Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
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