NFL Network reporter and insider Ian Rapoport doesn’t see a world in which Pittsburgh Steelers’ “Big Three” of T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig are separated for the 2026 season. Anything beyond this year though is a different story. Weighing in on the future of Pittsburgh’s top trio, Rapoport could see tough decisions being made.
“I don’t get the sense that Highsmith is going anywhere. T.J. Watt is not going anywhere this year,” Rapoport said Thursday on The Pat McAfee Show. “He is not. He is going to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, after this year, I would imagine they have a decision to make one way or the other.”
Rapoport’s opinion about the 2026 group is shared by most. Even facing the challenge of divvying up snaps among Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig, the Steelers want their pass rushers to be a strength of the team. Pittsburgh’s offseason moves have been to win now. Hiring Mike McCarthy, bringing back QB Aaron Rodgers, trading for WR Michael Pittman Jr., and signing CB Jamel Dean. Moving on from Watt or Highsmith right now runs counter to those goals.
But like many others, Rapoport thinks Pittsburgh can’t keep the three forever. He strongly hinted that the team will make a move next offseason, and implied Watt’s future could be in doubt.
“T.J. Watt’s contract is enormous,” he said.” He has been a one-helmet player. I would say every one-helmet player, you’d sort of like them to stay in the uniform. But we have learned, as we did this past week, that there is a price for everyone.”
Monday, the Cleveland Browns traded Myles Garrett despite their long-standing belief he would always remain with the team. Watt was drafted in the same class and could meet the same fate. Highsmith’s long-term spot also isn’t secure, and his younger age and more manageable contract makes him a more plausible trade piece next offseason.
Though it’s logical to believe the band will be broken up next offseason, a rising salary cap, likely cheap quarterback play, and other contracts coming off the books (Patrick Queen notably one of them), could allow Pittsburgh to keep all three together through 2027. How the group performs this year will dictate plenty about the future.
