Steelers' Alex Highsmith Emerges as Bears' Top Edge Rusher Target

Chicago looks to bolster its defensive line with a proven pass-rusher and run-stopper.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 6:11pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a football player in motion, their body broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conveying the explosive energy of a dominant defensive play.A cubist interpretation of a dominant defensive play, capturing the raw power and athleticism of an elite pass rusher.Today in Pittsburgh

With the New York Giants trading away star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, the Chicago Bears have shifted their focus to acquiring Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher Alex Highsmith as a potential consolation prize. Highsmith, a 29-year-old veteran, has been a consistent pass-rushing threat for the Steelers, recording 6+ sacks in all but one season. The Bears are desperate to improve their defensive line, both in terms of generating a pass rush and shoring up their run defense, and Highsmith could be the ideal solution.

Why it matters

The Bears' defense struggled mightily in 2025, ranking 27th in the NFL against the run and managing just 35 sacks on the season. Acquiring a proven edge rusher like Highsmith would provide a significant boost to their pass rush and run defense, two critical areas the team needs to address if they hope to compete for a playoff spot in 2026.

The details

According to reports, the Steelers are expected to field trade calls for Highsmith this offseason, as they have a promising young pass-rusher in Nick Herbig waiting in the wings. Highsmith has been a consistent producer for the Steelers, recording 14.5 sacks in 2022 and 9.5 sacks in 13 games in 2025 despite missing time due to injury. He also excels against the run, earning an elite 82.0 PFF run defense grade in 2025. The Bears would likely have to part with a third-round pick to acquire Highsmith, who has two years remaining on his contract.

  • In 2025, Highsmith recorded 9.5 sacks in 13 games.
  • Over the past two seasons, Highsmith has notched 15.5 sacks.

The players

Alex Highsmith

A 29-year-old edge rusher for the Pittsburgh Steelers who has been a consistent pass-rushing threat, recording 6+ sacks in all but one season of his career.

Nick Herbig

A young, ascending pass-rusher for the Pittsburgh Steelers who is expected to take on a larger role, potentially leading the team to consider trading Highsmith.

Dexter Lawrence

A star defensive tackle for the New York Giants who was recently traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, leaving the Bears to search for an alternative solution to improve their defensive line.

Ryan Poles

The general manager of the Chicago Bears, who is tasked with improving the team's defensive line this offseason.

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What they’re saying

“But with Herbig waiting in the wings and having been very productive while rotating with Highsmith and T.J. Watt, the Steelers are expected to take some calls on Highsmith if the phone rings.”

— Charles Robinson, Yahoo Sports reporter

“I think they will trade one of them [between Highsmith and Herbig].”

— Unnamed high-level executive

What’s next

If the Bears can pull off a trade for Highsmith before the 2026 NFL Draft, it would allow them to focus on other positions of need in the draft or at least target edge rusher later, giving them more flexibility in their roster-building approach.

The takeaway

Acquiring Alex Highsmith would be a significant coup for the Bears, as he would immediately upgrade their pass rush and run defense, two critical areas of need for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Highsmith's consistent production, combined with his ability to stop the run, make him an ideal target for the Bears as they look to bolster their defensive line this offseason.