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The Detroit Lions need more help along the edge and the Pittsburgh Steelers could have one available via trade.
The Steelers have one of the better situations along the edge in the NFL thanks to a strong group that includes T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and 2025 draft pick Jack Sawyer.With Watt not going anywhere, Herbig ascending and Sawyer needing more snaps, it’s not crazy to think Pittsburgh could cut ties with Highsmith via trade this offseason.
If Pittsburgh is open to trading Highsmith, AtoZ Sports’ Mike Payton is urging the Lions to make a play for the veteran edge rusher.
“A little on the older side. Highsmith will be 29 when the season starts in September, but he’s been a phenomenal player for years,” Payton explained. “In 2025, he had 44 pressures and 10 sacks across from T.J. Watt. So you know he’s capable of taking advantage of one-on-ones. Something the Lions really need.”
The Lions do need help opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
It’s possible they will simply re-sign Al-Quadin Muhammad, who had a better-than-expected season in 2025, but the veteran will be more expensive this time around, which could lead to the Lions balking at re-signing him.
Highsmith would be a strong replacement, as he posted 9.5 sacks in just 13 games last season and has totaled as many as 14.5 in a single campaign.
He’s also far more proven than Muhammad and could also be a multi-year solution, with Highsmith’s $69 million contract running through the 2027 campaign.
The biggest concern with Highsmith is his injury history. He has been banged-up quite a bit over the past two years and has missed a total of 10 games in that span, including four in 2025 and six in 2024.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes has been hesitant to make any semblance of a big, expensive splash via trade or free agency in recent years because of the slew of expensive extensions the team has handed out or will hand out to its own players.
But there is a chance Holmes’ approach will change given the increased urgency in Detroit after what was a terribly disappointing 2025 campaign.
As a result, we could see the Lions at least attempt to acquire Highsmith if the Steelers do decide to cut ties.
