Steelers predicted to cut ties with $68 million starter in trade with Commanders

If there's one position of strength the Pittsburgh Steelers could subtract from this offseason, it's edge rusher.

Pittsburgh has a crowded room that features T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer, who was drafted in 2025.

With Herbig ascending, and with the Steelers possibly wanting to clear the path for Sawyer to get more run in 2026, Behind The Steel Curtain's Jarrett Bailey predicts Pittsburgh will trade Highsmith to the Washington Commanders.

Bailey projects the Steelers will garner a 2027 third-round pick and 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for the veteran edge rusher.

Bailey notes that another source of motivation to make this trade is the Steelers piling up more picks for next year's draft, which will give them more cracks at a quarterback, or more ammunition to move up one.

"The Steelers are already loaded on picks in the Top 100 this year. And if you haven’t picked up on the theme here, they need to get as many picks as they can ahead of 2027 to get a potential franchise quarterback — which, yes, means I don’t believe they should take one in this year’s draft," Bailey wrote. "Moving Highsmith clears the way for Nick Herbig to start and sign an extension, and also frees up opportunities for Jack Sawyer."

Highsmith has no doubt been a productive edge rusher for Pittsburgh opposite Watt, but injuries have been an issue the past two seasons, with the veteran missing 11 games total in that span.

The Steelers might view Highsmith as expendable if they think Sawyer can take that next step in 2026, and with Herbig getting better and better each year.

In order to maximize their savings with a Highsmith trade, a post-June 1 deal would be the best bet, as that would incur a dead-cap hit of $5.6 million while saving $14.5 million, which the Steelers can use to bolster needs, like wide receiver, for example.

Pegging the Commanders as a possible landing spot makes total sense.

Washington's sacks leader from 2025, Von Miller, is a pending free agent and it isn't clear if he'll return. Even if he does return, the Commanders could use more firepower and an every-down player to help Miller.

Adding Highsmith, who has two more years left on his $68 million contract, would give the Commanders a proven edge rusher who can step in and bolster a pass-rush that finished near the middle of the pack in sacks last season.

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