Steelers rework LB Alex Highsmith's deal, clear $7M

Field Level Media|published: Wed 24th April, 13:16 2024

Sep 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) reacts after his interception resulted in a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. credits: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers restructured linebacker Alex Highsmith's contract to clear more than $7 million in salary cap space, NFL Network reported Wednesday.

Highsmith, 26, inked a four-year, $68 million extension last July that reportedly included $27.7 million guaranteed.

He was due to earn a $10.7 million base salary in 2024 with a $13.9 million cap hit. Converting a portion of that into a signing bonus will give the Steelers some flexibility for the rest of the offseason.

Highsmith followed his breakout 14.5-sack campaign in 2022 with seven sacks in 17 starts in 2023.

Highsmith has posted 29.5 sacks, 59 quarterback hits, three interceptions, eight forced fumbles and 242 tackles in 66 games (55 starts) since being drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round in 2020.

—Field Level Media