Pittsburgh Steelers working to lock up Alex Highsmith with long-term deal

Alex Highsmith had a breakout season for the Steelers in 2022, finishing with 14.5 sacks, which ranked in the top 10 in the NFL.

The former Charlotte 49ers star could soon be rewarded for his play last year with a new long-term deal.

According to NFL insider Dov Kleiman, the Steelers and Highsmith are working on a “long-term extension.”

Highsmith is entering the final year of his contract after being drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft. His 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. He started his career with the 49ers as a walk-on, before developing into a star.

Highsmith spent his first season as a starter at Charlotte in 2018 as a redshirt junior, and he set the school record for tackles for loss that year with 17.5.

That record didn’t last long, though. As a redshirt senior in 2019, Highsmith set the school record for sacks in a season with 14 and tackles for loss in a season with 21.5. He ranked fourth in the nation in sacks and fifth in the country in tackles for loss that year.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney had this to say about Highsmith prior to the 49ers facing the Tigers in 2019:

“I kept watching him and going, ‘Holy cow.’ He looks like Xavier Thomas. He’s physical, fast, disruptive,” Swinney said. “He’s causing sacks and tips. Really, really good football player. That No. 5 could play for anybody in the country.”

Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach John Mitchell receives lifetime achievement award

Former longtime Pittsburgh Steelers assistant John Mitchell has been named one of the winners of the 2023 Paul ‘Dr. Z’ Zimmerman Award.

The award, presented by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA), is given out for lifetime achievement as an assistant coach in the NFL. Mitchell, who retired in February, spent 29 years in the Steelers’ organization in various roles. He began as defensive line coach (1994-2006) before adding assistant head coach as part of his duties in 2007. Since 2018, Mitchell served exclusively as assistant head coach under Mike Tomlin.

“I’m grateful to the Rooney family for the wonderful opportunity to coach and work for the Steelers for nearly 30 years,” Mitchell said at the time of his retirement, via ESPN. “It was truly an honor. I’d also like to thank Coach Tomlin for giving me the opportunity to stay with the franchise when Coach [Bill] Cowher retired. I will treasure my time in Pittsburgh and appreciate everyone affiliated with the organization.”