Jones named Alex Highsmith among six players he's keeping an eye on ahead of the November 10 trade deadline, after what he described as shaking down sources around the league this week.
"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 wrote. "For now, it's quiet."
An Expensive, Crowded Edge Group
Pittsburgh is paying three edge rushers heavily right now, with T.J. Watt at the top of that group and Nick Herbig having signed a $100 million extension back in June.
Highsmith is the third piece, on the four-year, $68 million deal he signed in July 2023 that runs through the 2027 season.
That math put him in the trade conversation well before Jones weighed in. Highsmith was a popular trade candidate this spring, and after Herbig's extension, the Steelers made it fairly clear they intended to keep Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig together on the roster this season.
Jones' reporting suggests others around the league still see Highsmith as a possible chip regardless.
. @jjones9 says he is keeping an eye on #Steelers edge Alex Highsmith in the trade market. He admits that it’s quiet but still a name to look at for. pic.twitter.com/mtPSorSv57
— PorterLessBurgh (@PortersBurgh) October 3, 2026
On the field, Highsmith has been productive.
He has three sacks, five tackles for loss, and five quarterback hits through four games this season, building on a 2025 campaign that included 9.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and 19 quarterback hits.
Over his career, he's totaled 48 sacks and 96 quarterback hits.
