Steelers LB Alex Highsmith on getting a new contract before training camp: ‘I’m confident’

Alex Highsmith says it would be awesome to get a deal done before training camp.

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The one big piece of business left on the docket for the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason is sorting out a contract extension for outside linebacker Alex Highsmith. Highsmith is coming off of a career year when he was sixth in the NFL with 14.5 sacks. Now he wants a new extension heading into the final year of his rookie deal as is typical of young stars.

Highsmith spoke after practice on Tuesday and he sounds very optimistic that the two sides would be able to come together on an extension before the start of training camp. Pittsburgh typically puts the start of the season as a deadling to negotiate contract extensions.

If Highsmith doesn’t have a new contract by camp, it will be worth watching if he opts to hold out and not attend or do what teammate T.J. Watt did and have a “hold in” instead. Watt was at practice every day but did not team work. He just worked individually on the sidelines.

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How many sacks will Alex Highsmith have in 2023?

Cast your vote and let us know how many sacks you think Alex Highsmith will have in 2023.

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2022 was a breakout season for Pittsburgh Steelers edge Alex Highsmith. He finished with 14.5 sacks with was good enough for sixth-best in the NFL last season. Now Highsmith is looking to build on that not only to help his team but to help him cash in as he enters the final season of his rookie contract.

Highsmith set a lofty goal for himself in 20223, saying he is going to have 15+ sacks this season.

On paper, you might say Highsmith’s big 2022 season was a product of the T.J. Watt injury. But the truth is it was quite the opposite. While Watt was out with a partially torn pectoral, Highsmith struggled to beat double teams and get to the quarterback at all. The vast majority of his sacks came when Watt was healthy.

So realistically, if Watt is healthy and on his game in 2023, Highsmith might have a great opportunity to at least repeat the production he had in 2022.

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Cast your vote and let us know how many sacks you expect Highsmith to have in 2023.

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