Alex Highsmith

Alex had one hell of a season, especially given that TJ was out for an extended time. He finished with 14.5 sacks, which is the 4th highest single season total in team history.

 

He’s going to get PAID

 

Honestly, he should have been in the Pro Bowl over Watt.
I'm sure TJ agrees too.

 

He’s awesome.

 

Honestly you should be eating crow on a lot of crap you said.

 

I had my doubts when he was selected. But man was I wrong. He's the perfect bookend for TJ

 

The biggest tell for me was that he still got sacks when Watt was out. Dupree benefitted from being the Robin to Watt's Batman greatly and it inflated his numbers a bit. Highsmith is actually just a better player since he was able to still perform when he was thrust into the "Batman" role. I hope we are able to retain him.

 

Pay the man.


While we are at it, pay Cameron Sutton too! Both are necessary pieces.

 

Highsmith should be offered a nice contract. He deserves it. But he is signed for the 2023 season if they don't come to a deal then franchise.

Like Ask said Sutton needs to be retained as well. I feel though he will get major interest so we shall see.

 

The Pro Bowl should be done away with if for no other reason than Tyler Huntly being voted as a 4th alternate QB

https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/12/24/tyler-huntley-voted-as-fourth-pro-bowl-alternate-qb-per-report

 

It's been such a joke for so long, players have had no real interest in being there. Go back and watch some highlights from the 70's, they were actually playing the game. I'm sure it was rare for players to skip it unless they were injured.

 

Aren't there incentives in players contracts for making it? Im pretty sure there is. If so, it'll never end.

 

And really not a lot of talk much about his performance or him as being a great player.

He's killing Bud Duprees production

 

You beat me to it...I think Bud has about 4 sacks this season plus I think Alex improved against the run also.

 

He's become what Bud was supposed to be.

 

He's not a flashy player. More a lunch box guy that works and plays very hard. I really like the kid, good football player.

 

I like Highsmith he plays hard and he works at his craft , he is not a one trick pony . He has shown improvement every year.

 

He had 3.5 sacks in the 7 games TJ was out. He had 11 sacks in the 9 games TJ played. Just sayin'.
And I agree, I hope we can retain him. Because they can stop Watt, or the can stop Highsmith, but they can't stop both.

 

Or eating crap for all the crowing he did.

 

I have a feeling Highsmith is going to be too expensive to keep. I'm all about paying him. I want to pay him... Issue is, we are not able to pay everyone. It actually wouldn't surprise me if we followed the same path as we did with Highsmith and take Edge in the 3rd or 4th with the plan of that guy playing opposite TJ in 2024.

 

Yes I think there is a good chance they try to do this. Getting somebody like Alex in round 3-4 is rare enough however. It would be great if they could keep him.

 

We have him for the 2023 season at a very good price.
I would think Steeler management would attempt to sign him to contract #2.
You can't break the bank but he's definitely worth it.

 

Two great Edge rushers cover up for other weaknesses in the defense, but when they come up against a good offensive line, then the weaknesses are exposed. The key to great edge rushers is to have a competent offense that can get a lead and maintain a lead. The Steelers haven't had this offense since 2018, but unfortunately that defense was so bad the offense would get the lead, but then the defense would give it back.