Steelers restructure Alex Highsmith's deal, create more than $7 million in cap space

The Pittsburgh Steelers have done a simple restructure of star pass rusher Alex Highsmith’s deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Wednesday.

Pittsburgh created more than $7 million in cap space by restructuring Highsmith’s salary. Highsmith signed a four-year, $68 million deal with the Steelers last year and is under contract through the 2027 season. He was set to count $13.93 million against the Steelers’ salary cap this season, per Spotrac. The Steelers now have roughly $18 million in cap space.

Highsmith, 26, tallied 57 tackles (34 solo), eight tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and two forced fumbles in 2023. He set a career high the year prior with 14.5 sacks and led the NFL with five forced fumbles. The 2020 third round pick out of Charlotte has racked up 29.5 sacks in four seasons playing next to T.J. Watt.

Steelers lining up move for Brandon Aiyuk?

The Steelers have been one of the teams linked to San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk, and now have the necessary cap room to acquire him. Aiyuk has a $14.12 million cap hit this season. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Aiyuk has been a trendy name on the trade market this offseason.

Aiyuk, the 2020 first-round pick out of Arizona State, is coming off his best season to date. He hauled in 75 receptions for a career-high 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns this past season. Aiyuk earned a second-team All-Pro nomination. For his career, he has tallied 269 receptions for 3,931 yards and 25 scores.

49ers general manager John Lynch said at the NFL Owners Meetings in Orlando last month that the team is working on figuring out a way to make Aiyuk a 49er for the foreseeable future.

“We’re actively talking with Brandon trying to figure something out,” Lynch said. “We have a good history of working with the guys we want to get done to get something done and it takes two sides. So, can we do that? We’ll see. There’s a number of different directions that it could go but we appreciate the heck out of Brandon and who he is as a player, and we want him to be a part of the Niners. We’re going to work towards making that a reality.”