Alex Highsmith, Steelers agree to 4-year, $68 million extension
The Pittsburgh Steelers are inking top pass-rusher Alex Highsmith to a massive four-year extension, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
The new deal is worth $68 million and makes him a top-10 earner amongst the league’s edge rushers. According to Adam Schefter, his new deal includes $27.7 million in guarantees and $38 million over the first two new years. In 2022, Highsmith had 14.5 sacks making him one of the Steelers’ most valuable players.
Highsmith was entering the final year of his contract in 2023 after being drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft.
Unlike first-round draft picks, his rookie deal did not include a fifth-year option. By signing him to an extension now, the Steelers avoid potential free agency negotiations at the end of the year.
Highsmith’s 14.5 sacks were the sixth-most in the NFL in 2022, while he tied for the NFL lead in fumbles forced with five.
Prior to beginning his pro career, Highsmith was a two-time first-team All-Conference USA selection at Charlotte.
Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick rated No. 2 safety by Madden NFL 24
Ahead of the full release of the EA Sports Madden NFL 24 ratings this week, the gaming company revealed the ratings for the top 10 safeties in the league heading into the 2023 season.
Leading up to kickoff for the 2023 season, Madden’s highest-rated safety with a 95 is Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Derwin James.
James had 115 tackles with four sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss for the 10-win Chargers last year. He also had two interceptions, bringing his four-year total up to seven. A former star for Florida State, James was a first-round pick for the Chargers in 2018.
Former Miami Dolphins first-rounder Minkah Fitzpatrick comes in rated the second-highest behind Derwin James. The Steelers safety had six interceptions and a touchdown last season.
Like Fitzpatrick, Justin Simmons, rated as the third-best safety, had six interceptions in just 12 games played in 2022. He also had five in each of the last two seasons and 27 total since he joined the league in 2016.