As the NFL trade deadline approaches on November 10, attention has turned to several veteran edge rushers who could potentially change teams. One name that has surfaced is Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith.

At 29 years old, Highsmith remains a productive piece of a Steelers defense that has helped the team to a 4-2 start this season.

His presence on the edge has been notable, particularly in generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

According to Daniel Popper of The Athletic, who ranked Highsmith No. 7 among his top 50 trade candidates, trading Highsmith would likely only occur as part of a player-for-player exchange rather than a pure draft-capital deal

Popper notes that Highsmith led the Steelers in pressures through the first six weeks of the season with 19, and that defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s unit ranks among the top five in the league by expected points added per play.

Because of that strong defensive performance, Pittsburgh is not in a position where it needs to unload talent solely for future assets.

Instead, any move involving Highsmith would need to address specific needs elsewhere on the roster, particularly in the secondary and at wide receiver.

The Steelers’ investment in their edge group complicates the picture. In June, the team signed Nick Herbig to a substantial $100 million extension.

Despite that commitment, Herbig has played only about 53 percent of the defensive snaps through six weeks, leaving Highsmith as a primary contributor.

Highsmith is under contract through the 2027 season, and an acquiring team would take on a projected 2026 salary-cap hit of approximately $7.25 million if a trade were completed on deadline day.

That figure makes him relatively manageable for contenders looking to add immediate pass-rush help without a massive long-term financial burden.

Potential landing spots for Highsmith, should the Steelers decide to explore a deal, include the Cleveland Browns and the Chicago Bears. Both teams have shown interest in bolstering their edge presence.

For Pittsburgh, the decision will hinge on whether they can find a trade partner willing to part with players who improve the secondary or the receiving corps while still valuing Highsmith’s production.

With the deadline less than three weeks away, Highsmith’s future in Pittsburgh remains fluid, even as the team sits comfortably above .500 and leans on a capable defense.