Steelers create elite pass-rushing duo by locking up T.J. Watt's fellow sack artist

2023-07-19 21:50

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed T.J. Watt to a then-record contract extension in September of 2021. Now, Alex Highsmith has earned his payday as well.Extending star pass rusher Alex Highsmith was definitely on the Steelers to-do list this offseason, as he pairs well across from T.J. Watt. Even wi...

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed T.J. Watt to a then-record contract extension in September of 2021. Now, Alex Highsmith has earned his payday as well.

Extending star pass rusher Alex Highsmith was definitely on the Steelers to-do list this offseason, as he pairs well across from T.J. Watt. Even without Watt in the lineup at times last season due to injury, Highsmith has a career-best campaign, with 14.5 sacks.

Much of the Steelers 3-4 scheme is predicated on the pressure applied by the outside linebackers. It's why players like Watt, and now Highsmith, are so valuable to the front office. Without that pressure, Pittsburgh would put their secondary on an island. As talented as Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patrick Peterson are, there's no way that's a winning formula.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Highsmith is set to receive a four-year, $68 million contract extension to remain in Pittsburgh.

Steelers sign Alex Highsmith to contract extension

Highsmith was selected as a bit of a flyer. The former third-round pick out of UNC Charlotte surprised the Steelers in his first training camp, and earned plenty of playing time in his early seasons. Since then, he has improved immensely, and become on the top sack artists in professional football.

Much of Pittsburgh's money is invested in their defense. Along with Watt and Highsmith, Fitzpatrick and Cameron Heyward are some of the higher-paid defensive players in the league. That shouldn't come as a major surprise considering the Steelers mindset. This is a team that will always win and lose with its defensive unit.

The AFC features some truly elite quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen and more. Burrow, Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson all reside in the Steelers division. If Pittsburgh is to survive that onslaught, they need a defense that can hinder the league's best passers.

Pittsburgh has taken an odd route here. Rather than join the arms race themselves, the Steelers seem perfectly satisfied with Kenny Pickett for now. With Pickett on his rookie deal, they can continue to add to one of the more talented defenses in the NFL.