Alex Highsmith was not on the field during practice at mandatory minicamp on Wednesday. In response to a report of Highsmith's absence, team spokesman Burt Lauten said in a post on X the absence was due to an illness and "will continue to be at the practice facility as he has been all offseason."
There's been quite a bit of speculation around trading with Highsmith or T.J. Watt in light of Nick Herbig's new $100 million contract. However, per source, Wednesday's absence has nothing to do with any kind of trade and there remains "zero" intention to trade Highsmith.
The Steelers' plan throughout the offseason has been to get an extension done with Herbig and keep both Watt and Highsmith on the roster for the 2026 season. How that rotation will work out has yet to be seen, but it's a challenge both Mike McCarthy and new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham are happy to tackle.
"It's important," McCarthy said prior to Wednesday practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "We're excited to get Nick done. He's part of some of the new things we're doing moving forward. But, you've gotta find ways to play everybody. This is not an 11-man operation."
The Steelers have taken calls on Highsmith this offseason, specifically around the NFL Draft. However, sources have maintained over the past several weeks through today that the team has never been motivated to move Highsmith. Omar Khan taking calls about a player is a general manager simply doing his job. But, for the Steelers to reconsider their current stance on keeping the trio of Watt, Highsmith and Herbig intact, any offers from other teams for Highsmith would have to significantly improve.
THE ASYLUM
Exclusive: 'Zero' chance of Highsmith trade
Alex Highsmith was not on the field during practice at mandatory minicamp on Wednesday. In response to a report of Highsmith's absence, team spokesman Burt Lauten said in a post on X the absence was due to an illness and "will continue to be at the practice facility as he has been all offseason."
There's been quite a bit of speculation around trading with Highsmith or T.J. Watt in light of Nick Herbig's new $100 million contract. However, per source, Wednesday's absence has nothing to do with any kind of trade and there remains "zero" intention to trade Highsmith.
The Steelers' plan throughout the offseason has been to get an extension done with Herbig and keep both Watt and Highsmith on the roster for the 2026 season. How that rotation will work out has yet to be seen, but it's a challenge both Mike McCarthy and new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham are happy to tackle.
"It's important," McCarthy said prior to Wednesday practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "We're excited to get Nick done. He's part of some of the new things we're doing moving forward. But, you've gotta find ways to play everybody. This is not an 11-man operation."
The Steelers have taken calls on Highsmith this offseason, specifically around the NFL Draft. However, sources have maintained over the past several weeks through today that the team has never been motivated to move Highsmith. Omar Khan taking calls about a player is a general manager simply doing his job. But, for the Steelers to reconsider their current stance on keeping the trio of Watt, Highsmith and Herbig intact, any offers from other teams for Highsmith would have to significantly improve.
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