The Steelers’ loss to the Browns on Thursday Night Football didn’t just drop them to 2-2. It also pushed a little more attention toward what Pittsburgh might do if the season keeps heading the wrong way.
If the Steelers are staring at a 2026 finish near the bottom of the AFC North, the idea of moving players at the trade deadline suddenly becomes a lot more realistic. They already dealt Joey Porter Jr., and more movement would not be shocking.
One name now on the radar is edge rusher Alex Highsmith. Jonathan Jones of The Athletic said he’s among the players to watch as the deadline approaches, alongside Commanders DT Daron Payne, Colts DT Grover Stewart, Giants OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, Browns WR Jerry Jeudy and Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr.
"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 shared.
For Pittsburgh, Highsmith’s inclusion stands out. T.J.
Watt and Nick Herbig are staying put, and Jack Sawyer gives the Steelers young, affordable depth at the position. That makes Highsmith the sort of player who could become available if the team decides it isn’t in the race by the November deadline.
Highsmith is 29 and is under contract through the 2027 season on his $68 million deal. If Pittsburgh chooses to move him, the club would clear significant cap space in both 2026 and 2027.
There’s also the return value. A contender would have to pay to get him, and the Steelers could end up with meaningful draft capital. A first-rounder might be out of reach, but Jones’ read on the market suggests a second-round pick is at least plausible.
With Maxx Crosby potentially not on the trade block, Highsmith could end up as the best edge rusher available. That would put Pittsburgh in position to draw serious interest if it decides to listen. The Steelers don’t have to trade him, but after Jones put his name on the list, he’s clearly one to watch.
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Joey Porter Jr. had become one of the more intriguing young pieces on Pittsburghs defense, but contract talks never moved far enough to keep him in black and gold. The Steelers put a long-term extension on the table that averaged $28 million per year, yet the structure stopped short of guaranteeing money beyond the first year, a familiar line for a team that has long guarded itself against heavy long-term risk.
That approach eventually pushed Porter into a holdout and then out the door entirely, with Pittsburgh sending him to Dallas for a second-round pick and a conditional sixth-rounder. The Cowboys are expecting him to help once he gets past a back injury, while the Steelers are left to wonder whether staying loyal to one organizational rule cost them a young starter with real value. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Suddenly Have A Defensive Problem They May Need To Solve Fast
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For a defense built on keeping pressure on opponents and surviving long stretches of the season, the timing is less than ideal. The staff is already weighing ways to cover Deans absence, with internal options and outside additions both on the table, and the next few days could shape how quickly the Steelers stabilize a unit that suddenly looks thinner than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Tackle Panic May Be Missing The Bigger Long Term Story
The Steelers front has become an early talking point because the pass protection has been under real stress, with 13 sacks allowed through four games and a pressure rate that has left little room for comfort. Still, the line picture is not as simple as a weekly panic over the tackles, because Troy Fautanu has settled in at left tackle and shown steady improvement, giving Pittsburgh at least one spot where the trend line is moving the right way.
Max Iheanachors rookie season has been more uneven, but the first-round pick remains part of the long-term answer at right tackle even with some growing pains along the way. For a team trying to stabilize its offense, the bigger question may be whether the Steelers are looking at a temporary protection problem or a young tackle group that could matter more in the months ahead than it has in the early going. [Read more 🡒]