With the NFL Draft fast approaching, rumors are flying regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers. In a bit of a surprise, lots of those rumors involve the EDGE position. Despite Pittsburgh having a solid pipeline of talent at that spot, some are painting it as one of the team’s bigger draft needs. There’s also been some trade speculation, with an insider mentioning earlier this week that the Steelers may take some calls on Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig during the draft.

To Steelers beat writer Ray Fittipaldo, that’s not a rumor that is likely to come true. In his weekly chat with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Fittipaldo was asked about the potential of the Steelers moving on from Highsmith this weekend. His answer was a firm no.

“No. The Steelers are not going to do that. The only way that happens is if they’re bowled over by an outrageous offer, and I don’t expect that,” Fittipaldo wrote.

On the surface, there are some reasons why moving on from one of their edge rushers might make sense. For one, the Steelers don’t have enough playing time to go around at the moment. T.J. Watt is on a long, high-priced extension, and his playing time isn’t likely to vanish in the near future. Highsmith also absolutely deserves his starting role, but that’s made the future a little complicated for Nick Herbig.

Herbig has been excellent when given time, but he isn’t getting much of it. Heading into his fourth year, he’s still young and certainly someone the Steelers should prioritize extending. But with Watt and Alex Highsmith both under contract through 2027, would he sign an extension knowing he might be staying behind those two for the foreseeable future?

It would certainly make sense for Herbig to test his own market. One that could land him in a starting role with a new team. For the Steelers, losing Herbig would be tough, leaving them with a starting duo of a 32-year-old Watt and a 30-year-old Highsmith heading into the 2027 season. Pittsburgh does have Jack Sawyer in the building, but it would be tough to lose a young player like Herbig. Thus, speculation has surfaced about trading Highsmith to retain Herbig.

But that doesn’t mean it’s actually the best idea for the Steelers. For starters, Highsmith was their most productive outside linebacker last year. He led the team in sacks (9.5) and tackles for a loss (15). Granted, he’s got to find a way to stay on the field a little bit more. Highsmith has played in just 24 games over the last two years. But when he’s been out there, he’s been very solid. Trading your best player at the position from a statistical standpoint isn’t always going to be the best way to fix a logjam.

Regardless, the Steelers have some difficult decisions to make at this position in the near future. But Fittipaldo doesn’t think that’s going to result in them moving on from Alex Highsmith just yet. Unless they get an offer they simply can’t refuse.