The Pittsburgh Steelers don’t need distractions this summer, but one insider thinks a key defender’s contract could cause an issue before the regular season. The Steelers are trying to return to the playoffs after missing last season’s postseason. The Steelers hope the offense will improve in Kenny Pickett’s second year in the NFL.
The defense’s strength will be important to the Steelers’ success this season. A healthy T.J. Watt should make the pass rush dangerous in a division with Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Deshaun Watson under center.
NFL News: Alex Highsmith could be a Pittsburgh Steelers’ distraction
Mark Kaboly with The Athletic thinks another pass rusher could pose a problem for the Steelers this summer. Alex Highsmith’s contract is set to expire after the season. But Highsmith understandably will want a pay raise after his incredible season in 2022. Kaboly wrote Highsmith’s contract could cause a distraction in Pittsburgh:
“Ideally, you would want to head into training camp without any external issues. It should be all about football. But that might not happen for the second consecutive year and third year in a row when it comes to extending a key player before the team’s self-imposed deadline of the start of the season. Highsmith is coming off a 14 1/2-sack season and is in the final year of his rookie deal.
Even though he participated fully in all of spring activities, the last two Steelers who faced significant extensions — T.J. Watt and Diontae Johnson — did a training camp “hold in” before their deal was finished. Highsmith hasn’t given an indication either way what he would do. The Steelers’ front office has given no indication that they don’t want to extend Highsmith but the question that looms is when? Watt waited until right before the season. Johnson was a week into training camp.”
Highsmith’s situation is slightly different from other stars looking for new deals in the final year of their rookie contract. The former third-round pick’s stats jumped last season. He had just eight sacks before the 2022 campaign.
It would be more of a risk for Highsmith’s camp to hold out. However, the Steelers’ defense would be worse off with him not on the sidelines this season. This situation will be one to keep an eye on in training camp.
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