This past offseason, three significant members of the Pittsburgh Steelers roster were given big-money contract extensions.
This coming offseason, there’s seemingly only one player who fits the criteria to receive such a multiyear contract.
And the timing might not be better for Alex Highsmith, the outside linebacker who in his third NFL season had a career year with 14 ½ sacks and five forced fumbles.
“I absolutely love playing for this team. I love playing for this organization and coach (Mike) Tomlin and everybody,” “I hope to be here,” Highsmith said Monday from the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “So that’s really, probably, my priority: I want to be here.”
Alex Highsmith on entering an off-season when he’s due a contract extension, like Minkah Fitzpatrick and Diontae Johnson last year pic.twitter.com/Xv7tD5CKZV
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 9, 2023
According to spotrac.com, Highsmith’s market value calls for a four-year, $55.6 million contract that would move him into the top 12 of the NFL’s highest-paid edge rushers.
Highsmith made $961,000 this past season and is due $1.089 million in 2023.
The Steelers typically extend the contracts of starting-caliber players the summer before the final season on their existing contract. Last year, that was safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (four-year, $76 million), receiver Diontae Johnson (two-year, $37 million) and kicker Chris Boswell (four-year, $20 million) who were given extensions.
“I will probably talk to them some just to see how they handled (contract situations) and everything like that,” Highsmith said. “But I’m just thankful for just the journey I have had so far in being able to take a step, make some growth this season.”
Of players on their roster under contract past this season, Highsmith is one of 11 who are scheduled for unrestricted free agency after next season and therefore eligible for an extension.
Of the other 10, inside linebacker Myles Jack, defensive lineman Montravius Adams, guard Kevin Dotson and cornerbacks Levi Wallace, Ahkello Witherspoon and Arthur Maulet are others who have started on offense or defense. None are necessarily considered priorities for an extension before they finish their contracts.
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