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Nick Herbig deal raises obvious questions about the future of T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith

Jun 4, 2026Mike FlorioPro Football Talk

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The Steelers' decision to move quickly to give linebacker Nick Herbig a four-year, $100 million extension makes the organization's feeling about the 2023 fourth-round pick clear. As to two other pass rushers on the Pittsburgh roster, it raises questions. It's the first time that a team has given a backup a $100 million contract. Which means that Herbig possibly won't be a backup on Mike McCarthy's initial official depth chart. Linebacker T.J. Watt, a first-round pick in 2017, signed a three-year, $123 million extension in 2025. He's making $41 million per year. In 2023, linebacker Alex Highsmith (a third-round pick in 2020) signed a four-year, $68 million extension. His new-money APY is $17 million. The Steelers could keep all three of them, at least for a year. Or they could sit back and wait to see if another team makes them an offer, for either Watt or Highsmith. Trading Watt would avoid $32 million in guaranteed pay for 2026, while triggering a $10 million cap charge in 2026 and a $20 million cap charge in 2027. Trading Highsmith would avoid his $14.5 million salary for 2026, with a cap charge of $5.6 million in 2026 and a $5.6 million cap charge in 2027. Chances are the phone has already been ringing. That's how it goes. Teams always explore whether other players are available, and what it could take to get them. Given the value of pass rushers — and given that plenty of teams are looking for more of them (the Bears could use one, badly) — the Herbig deal becomes a de facto invitation for other teams to make an offer, for either Watt or Highsmith.